AG on threats: ‘Real crimes with real consequences’
Nessel re-issues video warning of dangerous effects of school threats
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her video that explains the consequences of making threats against schools, following a recent increase in incidents in Oakland County and around the state.
“A recent increase in threats of violence have been reported at Michigan schools,” Nessel said in a statement Thursday, Nov. 17.
“Threats of violence rob students of valuable days of instruction as school administrators are forced to close buildings to keep kids safe. Whether these are real threats made by those intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences.”
In the video, Nessel explains the potential charges people can face if they make a threat of violence, which include:
• Communicating a threat of terrorism, a 20year felony
• Calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony
• Malicious use of a telecommunications de
vice, a six-month misdemeanor
• Threatening violence against a school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor.
The video can be viewed on the Department of Attorney General’s YouTube page.
Nessel previously issued the video in the wake of dozens of threats statewide after a mass shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30 resulted in four deaths and seven injuries.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has also said every threat will be investigated and prosecuted.
If you receive a threat or know of a threat of violence against your community, please contact your local law enforcement.
You can also leave a tip with the state’s OK2SAY hotline by calling 8555-OK2SAY (855-5652729) or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). The hotline operates 24/7 and protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.
OK2SAY, which is housed within the Michigan State Police, provides for confidential reports of potential self-harm, harm to others, or criminal acts including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, assault or rape, directed at students, school employees or schools in this state.
There have been four threats against South Lyon East and South Lyon High School in the past month, including one on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Authorities made an arrest in only one case; that student was charged with a misdemeanor.
Novi High School had two incidents in late October; authorities have not made any arrests.
Two Ferndale High School students were arrested this week in connection with two separate threats.
A 10-year-old boy allegedly threatened gun violence against Paint Creek Elementary School in the Lake Orion Community Schools in late October. He was arrested but not charged.
Authorities investigated all of these cases and found the threats were unsubstantiated.