Schools in West Virginia Take Precautions After Unsubstantiated Online Threats

The Upshur County School system is taking extra precautions this week due to unsubstantiated online threats made to schools across West Virginia and other states. The situation has been deemed not credible, but local law enforcement agencies are working diligently to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Districts across West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana, and Arkansas all reported receiving threats on Wednesday. The Upshur County Superintendent of Schools, [Name], has issued a statement urging parents to talk with their children about online interactions and the potential consequences of sharing unsubstantiated information on social media.

"We ask that all guardians please have a conversation with their children to please not repost or share social media posts but instead report those social media posts via the See Send Mobile Application or website, to the schools, or directly to law enforcement," she said. "By refraining from sharing and reposting this content, we can prevent unwarranted worry and disruption to our law enforcement partners. Reporting this content allows us to make concerted efforts to create and maintain safe schools."

The Citrus County Sheriff's Department in Florida explained how sharing unsubstantiated information on social media can quickly go viral, resulting in unnecessary fear and disruption.

"Social media and the 'sharing' of false information lead to chaos, and the more these 'threats' are shared, the more difficult it becomes to track down sources," the statement said. "Instead of sharing, report the content to law enforcement."

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office is also looking for information on the origin of the threats.

"Our agency will continue to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these and any threats made against education facilities," said Sheriff [Name]. "Anyone with information relating to the origin of these threats, please contact the Upshur County Sheriff's Office at 304-472-1182 or 304-472-9550."

The school system and local law enforcement agencies are dedicated to keeping students safe. Additional precautions may be considered for tomorrow.

"We know that these situations can cause fear and concern for our children, parents, and community," said Superintendent [Name]. "We will continue to assess and monitor, collaborate, and communicate. We want to extend a thank you to our local law enforcement agencies that have stepped up, as always, to keep our children safe."

The Upshur County Sheriff's Department, WV State Police, and the Buckhannon Police Department are reliable partners in maintaining a secure learning environment.