The importance and significance of schools in today’s society cannot be understated or ignored. Representing a place where students can learn a variety of lessons and courses in preparation for adolescence, adulthood, careers, and life in general, schools represent a significant part of any individual’s life. Schools should, in theory, also represent a place of sanctuary and safety for those to study and learn in order to maximize their full academic potential.
However, with any other public institution, there sadly remains the possibility of a threat to a school, which recent history has unfortunately shown to have life-altering ramifications, or at the very least, a great cause for concern amongst students, parents, teachers, and the communities in which schools serve.
“This unfortunately is our new reality and the sign of the times we’re living in,” said Michelle, a concerned parent from Antioch. “They need to be dealt with accordingly with the most severe punishment there is allowed by law.”
Juan Angeles, another concerned parent from Walnut Creek, added, “This is a tough issue that requires city, state, and federal assistance. Threats in schools and the potential for harm to students are parents’ worst nightmare. It can potentially affect students and parents for their entire life depending on the severity of the situation.”
According to local school superintendents and law enforcement officials, threats of any sort to schools are taken very seriously and can have a severe impact on everyone involved.
“As a parent of children in our schools, I completely understand and respect that fear,” said Brentwood Union School District Superintendent Dana Eaton. “I have seen parents literally shaking in front of me as they struggle with sending their child to school. Our board has been very clear that this type of threat warrants expulsion consideration.”
A threat to a school can have a negative impact to parents, students, and communities in multiple ways.
Along with generating significant fear amongst students, parents, and staff, schools are affected educationally and financially as well, with school districts losing about $50 a day every time a student is absent. Furthermore, school resources, which are already limited, are further impacted due to existing resources being directed towards the threat, forcing law enforcement resources to not be available for other pressing needs in the community.
“These threats hurt schools financially when students do not come to school due to being afraid,” said Oakley Union Elementary School District Superintendent Greg Hetrick. “It definitely hurts schools emotionally because there is a threat looming and we have all seen the terrible and tragic events throughout our country, and that gets in the minds of all affected. It hurts schools educationally as well. When students are scared or stressed, it becomes almost impossible to concentrate on their school work.”
Unfortunately, school threats are becoming more and more prevalent. According to this USA Today article, California is one of ten “states of concern” (along with Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia) that account for approximately 51% of all school threats and episodes of violence nationwide. Another article mentions that school threats have risen by 1,300 in the past year, which equates to a 113% increase. The most common types of threats inflicted are of the anonymous variety made on social media platforms that are popular with young people. Often times, these threats are not on well-known social media platforms such as Facebook. Rather, they are on lesser-known platforms such as SnapChat or Kik that often allow those responsible with the ability to mask their identities and remain anonymous. In addition, a lot of misinformation and inaccuracies are reported and passed along as fact through social media, further complicating matters and worsening peoples’ fears.
“Most of the threats that have impacted us have come from outside our area,” said Eaton. “Every time we learn of a threat, we initiate a threat protocol with the police department. They work to find the origination and determine whether they believe the threat is viable. We are fortunate to have an outstanding, proactive partner in the Brentwood Police Department. They immediately take action and make it their number one priority. Our district cooperates fully with the police department and is supportive of prosecution when warranted. We always communicate to parents as soon as we are cleared by the police to do so.”
School and law enforcement officials warn that if the individual or parties responsible are caught, the penalty for inflicting such threats is severe, with criminal justice system consequences incurring depending on the severity and seriousness of the threat(s) and impact they may have on the community.
“Any credible threat against a school, under current California State Law, would be considered a Terrorist Threat under PC 422,” said Pittsburg Police Captain Steve Albanese. “This is a felony. If a subject was to make a credible threat against a school in our jurisdiction, the Pittsburg Police Department would forward a criminal complaint under this penal code to the district attorney for review.”
According to Albanese, the City of Pittsburg currently has five School Resource Officers (SROs) in place covering high schools and middle schools, and cover elementary schools as needed.
“Any incident related to threats against our schools can have an impact on the way the city and schools in our community are viewed by others,” said Albanese, who noted that Pittsburg High School received a few threats several weeks ago. “The City of Pittsburg, the Police Department and the PUSD have worked swiftly and together to determine the credibility of the threats made and identify those responsible for making the threats. The police department will continue to work hard with PUSD in maintaining a safe community and safe schools for our students and staff.”
Hetrick added, “These events are terrible. As administrators, we are hoping that our lawmakers will come together and draft some laws that not only increase the penalty for these senseless crimes, but also hold those making these threats financially responsible.”
Concerned local parents, showing an obvious concern for their children in the wake of these threats, think that a lack of accountability have helped to contribute to the problem and stiffer punishments should occur, citing that a simple ‘slap on the wrist’ is not nearly enough.
“I feel parents need to shoulder some of the responsibility as well,” said Michelle. “No one wants to ‘own up’ to anything anymore. It’s always ‘someone else’s fault’ the crime occurred or something else to blame. Parents bring these kids into this world, and I feel should be held responsible to an extent for crimes this severe. Maybe pay some sort of fine in addition to their kid serving time.”
Juan Angeles, echoing Michelle’s concern, noted, “We have been made aware about these threats through the media. While this information has helped those in power to make efforts to keep schools safe, I feel it has also influenced and even encouraged some people to model this behavior. Solutions to reduce this level of violence might include violence prevention programs in schools, on campus therapy for potentially troubled students, gun reform, and more available and affordable counseling for children at risk.”
Despite the threats and the ensuing fallout and fear that come along with it, school officials are clear to emphasize that their schools are safe, and are proud of their schools’ handling and response to any threats.
“I fully understand that nerves are raw and if a child is emotionally sick about going to school, they should stay home,” said Liberty Union High School District Superintendent Eric Volta. “However, knowing what our schools have done over the past few years to make their campuses safer (fencing, cameras, counseling, trainings), knowing what Oakley and Brentwood Police Departments do, with the way the faculty, staff, and administration handled themselves and cared for our students, I still believe our schools are very safe.”
“Schools should be the absolute safest places in our communities,” added Eaton. “As adults, we owe it to our children to find solutions to these issues.”
Sean Tongson, writer, is a resident of East Contra Costa County, a proud husband and father, and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, road tripping, and traveling.
An avid bay area sports fan, Sean’s favorite teams include the 49ers, Giants, Sharks, and Warriors.
