ORONO, Minn. - School threats are not uncommon, and actually seem to be ramping up in numbers in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting. The challenge for school officials and police have to sort through which are credible and which are not.
After Wednesday's day-long lockdown in the Orono Public Schools police said the threats that triggered the response were specific and made from inside the school. That’s why the decision to place classes on lockdown status was made.
The scenario at Woodbury's East Ridge High School was decidedly different. Classes went on as usual, despite concerns over a student’s Instagram posts. Authorities there said they determined the threats weren’t credible but alerted parents anyway.
"There was no direct threat against the school, against any individuals,” explained Woodbury Police spokesperson Michelle Okada.
"It’s important to let parents know here’s what we know, here’s what you might be hearing, here’s what isn’t true," added South Washington County Schools spokesperson Keith Jacobs on the push for transparency.
Both police departments say it is essential to track and identify the person who made the threatening post and talk with them and their families. Then it is easier to determine whether that person actually has the intention and ability to carry out their threat.