DeSoto ISD encourages students to THINK BEFORE YOU POST
Keeping with the district’s FOCUS initiative which hones in on Finance, Organizational Redesign, Campuses and Classrooms, Unity and Systems and sustainability, DeSoto ISD urges everyone to think before you post (Systems and Sustainability)! This week, Duncanville and Lancaster ISD received online threats of violence to their campuses. Arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing. The threats have not resulted in physical injury, some are believed to be hoax threats.
“Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources, and put first responders in unnecessary danger,” said David Bowdich, FBI Deputy Director. “We also don’t want to see a young person starting out adulthood with a felony record over an impulsive social media post. It’s not a joke; always think before you post.”
Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, or through an e-mail—is a federal crime (U.S. Code § 875.Interstate communications). Persons posting or sending these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison. They may also face state or local charges.
DeSoto ISD takes all threats seriously and will exercise an abundance of caution to protect our students and staff from danger. Schools will be locked down, often inflicting extreme and undue stress on students, staff, parents and the community at large. Law enforcement will be engaged and criminal prosecution pursued for any person suspected of making a threat against school personnel or property.
What Should I Do? (tips from the FBI):
- Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats online…period.
- If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.
- If you see a threat of violence posted on social media, immediately contact local law enforcement or your local FBI office. DeSoto Police Department tip line is https://www.ci.desoto.tx.us/1124/Submit-a-Crime-Tip. Members of the public can also submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.
- Notify the authorities but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
- If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control. Talk to your child about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions, and explain the importance of responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.
- Portions extracted from https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/hoax-threats-awareness-100518