Report sheds light on school threats

The National School Safety and Security Services looked at 812 school threats throughout the country from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014. Its report, released this month, reveals that threats made against schools rose about 158 percent from a year ago.

Michigan was among the top 10 states in the country receiving threats, with Ohio ranking No. 1.

Rockford High School and Coopersville Area Public Schools were recent targets of threats. Rockfords threat was deemed not credible. Police determined the Coopersville incident as a swatting hoax in which a caller claims an incident is going on or will happen, just to have police S.W.A.T. (special weapons and tactics) teams respond.

The report clarifies what most parents and school officials have known for quite some time, which is that the issue of threats, in particular, is a growing concern for schools, Spring Lake Public Schools Superintendent Dennis Furton said. No community will be immune from this issue.

The report found that high schools received 70 percent of all school threats, while middle schools and elementary schools received 18 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The top threat made against schools was a bomb, followed by a shooting.

Scott Grimes, assistant superintendent of human services for Grand Haven Area Public Schools, said the report confirms what they know and what they prepare for in every building.

We must remain vigilant about preparing for these types of events to ensure student and staff safety is not compromised, he said. The number of threats made by use of social media is very troubling to us, especially those that allow for anonymity, making it very difficult to investigate.

Michigan law requires schools to conduct 10 emergency drills per year that include tornado, fire and lock-down practices.

In addition, our local first responders utilize our school sites for after-hours training specific to situations that could occur in a crisis, Grimes said. This training often times includes staff and, in some cases, students.

Local schools also have plans in place in the event there is a threat, including emergency response plans outlining the steps that would be taken by staff members. For example, if a bomb threat is made, a checklist is given to guide school staff through collecting information from the caller, Grimes said.

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Report sheds light on school threats