Hollister Police last week sent out a public advisory about a recent nationwide flurry of false threats of violence against students and school staff—including some incidents in San Benito County.
Such false reports, which are often posted and recirculated on social media, are known as “swatting,” police said. Some schools have received internet-based phone calls with threats of violence, which turn out to be unsubstantiated.
“In San Benito County, we know that many families are understandably concerned about school safety. Please know that the top priority of our local school officials is the safety and well-being of students and staff, and the Hollister Police Department, San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and San Benito County Probation Department share that focus,” Hollister Police said in the advisory. “We take all reports of potential threats seriously, and we are making every effort to maintain an environment where students and staff feel safe.”
This trend of threatening social media posts has been an issue nationwide, and most if not all threats are not credible, nor do they originate anywhere near the local community, police said. These threats can be “highly disruptive to teaching and learning while causing a great deal of stress and anxiety for students, families and staff alike.
“We want to emphasize the importance of responsible social media use and the dangers of spreading rumors,” the local advisory continued. “Parents or guardians need to speak to their children regarding the real consequences of making threats in person or online. And that those threats will be investigated and result in consequences for those responsible.”
Furthermore, local educators and law enforcement officials are asking the community to avoid sharing rumors or posts referencing unsubstantiated threats on social media or text messages. Instead, if anyone is concerned about a possible threat on a school campus, they should contact the school or district office, as well as local law enforcement, police said.
“As you can imagine, these types of social media posts put schools and law enforcement agencies in a difficult position,” the Hollister Police announcement continued. “We must respond to and investigate all potential threats while minimizing disruptions to the learning process as much as possible. We are asking for your support as we deal with this nationwide trend locally.”
Students identified for inappropriate behavior on campus are subject to disciplinary actions, which may include suspension and/or expulsion, police continued. In cases of severe misconduct, students may also be subject to legal consequences, including criminal charges being pressed by the district or school.
“Our local educators and law enforcement agencies are proud to be a part of this community, and we are grateful for the support of our families and community members. When we all work together to report threats and not spread unsubstantiated rumors, we create a safer school environment for all students, staff, and families,” Hollister Police continued.
To report a possible threat to students or staff at a local school campus, call the anonymous WeTip hotline at 800.78.CRIME or the Hollister Police Department at 831.636.4331.
