Oklahoma Schools Increase Security After Social Media Threats

Several Oklahoma school districts took precautions Aug. 31 following threats reported on social media. Dewar Public Schools closed for the day after learning of an online threat late Sunday, while Henryetta Public Schools instituted a soft lockdown and Beggs Public Schools increased police presence. In Pottawatomie County, the sheriff’s office and Shawnee Police Department investigated […]

Several Oklahoma school districts took precautions Aug. 31 following threats reported on social media. Dewar Public Schools closed for the day after learning of an online threat late Sunday, while Henryetta Public Schools instituted a soft lockdown and Beggs Public Schools increased police presence.
In Pottawatomie County, the sheriff’s office and Shawnee Police Department investigated Snapchat threats mentioning schools in the Shawnee, McLoud, Bethel, Dale and North Rock Creek districts, prompting several districts to increase police presence. Drumright Public Schools also reported a vague social media post referencing its district and others but remained open while working with law enforcement.
Beggs Public Schools said information shared by other districts indicated law enforcement had traced the concerning social media post to the United Kingdom. Dewar officials said law enforcement was investigating the credibility of the threat, while the affected districts continued heightened precautions.