Hollister police warn about ‘swatting’ trend in schools – SanBenito.com

Hollister police sent out a public alert last week about a recent nationwide spate of false threats of violence against students and school staff – including some incidents in San Benito County.

Such hoaxes, which are often posted and spread on social media, are known as “swatting,” police said. Some schools have received calls over the Internet containing threats of violence, but these have turned out to be unfounded.

“In San Benito County, we know that many families are understandably concerned about school safety. “Please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff is the top priority of our local school officials and that the Hollister Police Department, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and the San Benito County Probation Department share this focus,” said Hollister police said in the news release. “We take all reports of potential threats seriously and make every effort to create an environment in which students and staff feel safe.”
This trend of threatening social media posts has been a nationwide problem and most, if not all, of the threats are not credible or originate anywhere near the local community, police said. These threats can “severely disrupt teaching and learning while causing great stress and anxiety for students, families and staff alike.”

“We would like to highlight the importance of responsible use of social media and the dangers of spreading rumors,” the local advisor continued. “Parents or guardians need to talk to their children about the real consequences of threats in person or online. And that these threats are investigated and have consequences for those responsible.”

Additionally, local educators and law enforcement officials are urging the community to avoid sharing rumors or posts that reference unfounded threats on social media or text messages. Instead, anyone concerned about a possible threat on a school property should contact the school or district office and local law enforcement, police said.

“As you can imagine, these types of social media posts put schools and law enforcement in a difficult position,” the Hollister police announcement continued. “We must respond to and investigate all potential threats while minimizing disruption to the learning process. We ask for your support in addressing this nationwide trend locally.”
Students found to be engaging in inappropriate behavior on campus will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and/or expulsion, police said. In the event of serious misconduct, students may also face legal consequences, including criminal charges from the district or school.

“Our local educators and law enforcement are proud to be part of this community and we are grateful for the support of our families and community members. When we all work together to report threats and not spread unfounded rumors, we create a safer school environment for all students, staff and families,” Hollister Police continued.

To report a possible threat to students or staff at a local school campus, call the anonymous WeTip Hotline at 800.78.CRIME or the Hollister Police Department at 831.636.4331.