A viral social media trend on TikTok had many schools on high alert on Friday. Law enforcement and investigators were made aware of posts threatening violence at schools across the country.Vermont officials determined there were no credible threats made in the state, but local police departments didn’t want to take a chance.“We can never let our guard down for possible risks or safety risks to the school,” said Chief Anthony Cambridge of the Hinesburg Police Department. After learning of the TikTok trend warning of potential shootings and bombings at schools, the department prepared for additional safety measures.“We just upped our presence. I had extra officers come in,” Cambridge said.The TikTok posts were seen all across the country and the majority did not specify a location or target. Upon investigation, the Vermont Intelligence Center deemed the threats not credible. “We treat the school as though they are our own kids. That’s how the police department feels and I think that’s how a lot of staff feels. There’s not gonna be any compromise on safety,” Cambridge said.Schools across the state prepare for situations like this.“This is not a new problem. it’s something schools are keenly aware of,” said Ted Fisher, director of communications and legislative affairs at the Agency of Education.It remains unclear where the social media posts stemmed from.“It’s very fair to say that these can be traumatic events and anxiety-inducing events even if there’s no threat,” Fisher said.The Agency of Education works closely with partners across the state, including the Department of Public Safety and the Vermont Intelligence Center, to support schools and communities when threats are made. “We want to make sure that we’re not causing additional anxiety and alarm when we release information like this but we also want to make sure that administrators and families have the resources they need to understand and keep their students safe,” Fisher said. Vermont State Police say potential threats were reported at three schools in northern Vermont — Canaan School, Williamstown Middle and High School, and North Country Union Junior High School. Police say none of the threats were credible and nobody has been arrested or charged in connection with these incidents.
A viral social media trend on TikTok had many schools on high alert on Friday. Law enforcement and investigators were made aware of posts threatening violence at schools across the country.
Vermont officials determined there were no credible threats made in the state, but local police departments didn’t want to take a chance.
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“We can never let our guard down for possible risks or safety risks to the school,” said Chief Anthony Cambridge of the Hinesburg Police Department.
After learning of the TikTok trend warning of potential shootings and bombings at schools, the department prepared for additional safety measures.
“We just upped our presence. I had extra officers come in,” Cambridge said.
The TikTok posts were seen all across the country and the majority did not specify a location or target. Upon investigation, the Vermont Intelligence Center deemed the threats not credible.
“We treat the school as though they are our own kids. That’s how the police department feels and I think that’s how a lot of staff feels. There’s not gonna be any compromise on safety,” Cambridge said.
Schools across the state prepare for situations like this.
“This is not a new problem. it’s something schools are keenly aware of,” said Ted Fisher, director of communications and legislative affairs at the Agency of Education.
It remains unclear where the social media posts stemmed from.
“It’s very fair to say that these can be traumatic events and anxiety-inducing events even if there’s no threat,” Fisher said.
The Agency of Education works closely with partners across the state, including the Department of Public Safety and the Vermont Intelligence Center, to support schools and communities when threats are made.
“We want to make sure that we’re not causing additional anxiety and alarm when we release information like this but we also want to make sure that administrators and families have the resources they need to understand and keep their students safe,” Fisher said.
Vermont State Police say potential threats were reported at three schools in northern Vermont — Canaan School, Williamstown Middle and High School, and North Country Union Junior High School. Police say none of the threats were credible and nobody has been arrested or charged in connection with these incidents.
