SOCIAL MEDIA POST PUTS SOME ON EDGE IN OAKWOOD
Comment leads to address of teen under suspicion last year.
Oakwood schools OAKWOOD — received a “non-specific threat” and notified the Oakwood Public Safety Department of the incident that touched off concern for some parents and students.
No charges have been filed, according to a school spokesperson and police.
A student made a comment that was interpreted by others, but no violence or threat of violence was mentioned in the comment, Chief Alan Hill with Oakwood’s Public Safety Department said Friday.
The district said all students were safe and the school was in session as scheduled, the spokesperson said.
A person called Oakwood police Thursday night after they said they saw a message posted on social media they felt needed reported.
“He’s posting on social media ‘You aren’t even prepared for tomorrow,’” the caller told police. “It could mean nothing and it could mean a lot.”
Officers responded to investigate the incident, but no charges are listed on the Oakwood incident report.
The address police went to Thursday night to investigate the social media post was the same address of a teen who police investigated in May 2018 about threats he made to “shoot the (expletive) school up.”
The caller who contacted police this week alluded to a previous investigation involving the person.
“There was a kid who you guys I think were involved with a couple years ago at this school, who claimed to have had a gun,” the caller told police.
The school district sent a message to parents late Thursday
to make them aware of the investigation.
“While the comment the student made was not a direct threat, we take all threats and potential threats seriously. We believed it was necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff through a coordinated effort with the Oakwood Safety Department. The police have had a presence across the district, specifically at the high school/ junior high throughout the day,” OHS Principal Paul Waller said.
Waller said the student posted a comment that alarmed multiple people.
“Several people reported the information, as they should have, to school officials, who then contacted OSD. As part of the schools’ safety plan, students are taught if they see or hear something, to say something. Students followed that example last night, reporting the message to administrators, allowing them and the OSD to intervene quickly,” Waller said.
Superintendent Kyle Ramey said he understood that situations like this are upsetting to parents, students and the community.
“Fear and uncertainty are natural reactions to these types of situations. We will always share as much information as we can, when we can. Balancing the privacy requirements of students and families with the desire to keep our community informed is always a consideration,” Ramey said.
In May, the school district investigated what was determined to “not be a credible threat” to the high school. It also involved Snapchat.
Oakwood school officials have implemented new procedures and added safety measures to increase protection for all of their buildings.
At the main entrances of all school buildings, new buzzers and cameras were installed. When visitors arrive at these locked entrances, staff members use a short script to ask visitors to identify themselves and state the reason for visiting the school.
Visitors will need to answer these questions before they are admitted to the building. If staff members are unsure about a visitor, administrators will conduct further screening.
Oakwood schools has partnered with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Public Safety to use a tip line, allowing students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety.
The tip line number is 1-844-SAFEROH. Contact this reporter at 937225-0586 or email Wayne. Baker@coxinc.com.