In the wake of the recent deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, schools across the U.S. are facing a wave of threats.
The threats, mostly disseminated by social media, have forced numerous districts – including Voorhees, Deptford and others in South Jersey – to ramp up security measures, with some opting to close temporarily to ensure the safety of students and staff.
According to the advocacy organization Everytown for Gun Safety, at least three dozen school shooting threats surfaced on social media in the week after the Apalachee High shooting on Sept. 4. Elsewhere in Georgia, more than 30 teens have been charged with making threats.
In Florida, two teenagers were recently arrested for making threats against schools, a 13-year-old boy who posted threats on Instagram and a 14-year-old girl.
Locally, three individuals were taken into custody following threats made against schools in Woodbury, Deptford, Glassboro and Haddon Heights. The threats were shared on TikTok and circulated on area Facebook pages, leading to the closure of some schools for one day on Sept. 9.
Woodbury school Superintendent Andrew Bell issued a statement that noted while the threat to his district turned out to be uncredible, he chose to “exercise extreme caution” by closing schools. Deptford schools also closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
Voorhees had a scare of its own when a student at Voorhees Middle School allegedly made a threat against the school. While it turned out the threat was not credible, it prompted a heightened state of alert.
“The safety and security of students and staff are our number-one priority,” said Eastern Regional High School Principal Steve Lee. “We have officers (three on campus), and people have to be buzzed in. Alarms on doors and other security measures are in place.
” … I like to build connections and unity amongst the school, and the fact that we have officers and a secured building makes it better,” he added, emphasizing both physical security measures and a school culture supportive of preventing violence.
Experts agree other efforts that address the root causes of violence include social isolation and mental-health issues.
Following are strategies for mitigating school threats:
Enhanced security measures: Schools are investing in physical security enhancements, such as metal detectors, door alarms, and surveillance systems, along with posting police officers on campus.
Social media monitoring: Districts and law enforcement are attempting to identify and respond to threats in real time, an approach that allows for early intervention and can prevent potential attacks.
Community engagement: Building strong connections between students, staff and the broader community is key. When students feel supported and connected, they’re less likely to engage in violent behavior.
Mental-health support: Schools should provide access to counseling and mental-health resources, and ensure students in need of support get help.
Emergency preparedness: Schools should regularly conduct drills and review their emergency response plans.
