Tracking Down School Threats Take Collaborative Effort

In the past four months, no less than four north Iowa school districts have dealt with possible threats to the safety of students and staff that required investigation by local law enforcement.

The latest incident occurred earlier this week, when online comments suggested a possible threat to New Hampton High School. The threat was determined as NOT credible..

While this was a localized incident, New Hampton Police Chief Tim Pederson says he gets regular updates on any possible school threats across the state.

In early November, a social media threat forced a soft lockdown at Charles City High School and Middle School. Charles City Police quickly identified the post by a student who said they meant it as a joke.

Police Chief Hugh Anderson says the days of “jokes” have passed.

Anderson adds that social media has certainly changed the game when it comes to school threats.

In January, the possibility of threats caused the Osage School District to “shelter in place” and forced Central Springs School to go to a virtual learning day “out of an abundance of caution.” In both instances, the threats were determined not credible.