UPDATE: Heightened security at Atlanta schools following social media threats

Caption

Atlanta Public Schools sign.

Credit: Courtesy Rough Draft Atlanta

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) sent alerts to parents and staff on Wednesday night about threats made against schools in the district.

The unspecified threats were made on social media, according to the message. Which schools were targeted in the threats is also unknown.

APS said that there would be heightened security and patrols at all schools on Thursday, Sept. 12, which was being coordinated by the school’s police force, the Atlanta Police Department, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. The message also said the FBI and GBI were investigating the threats.

Caption

The alert sent by Atlanta Public Schools to parents and staff.

Credit: Provided

There was no mention of canceling classes but APS urged schools to remain “vigilant” and report suspicious activity.

Across social media, some parents indicated they would keep their children at home on Thursday.

The threats come just over a week after the fatal school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County that killed four and wounded nine.

APS said in a statement emailed to Rough Draft that it has experienced an “uptick in threats” since the Apalachee High shooting. Here is the full statement:

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Like many school districts across the state, we have experienced an uptick in threats since the tragedy last week at Apalachee High School. Although none have been deemed credible, we take every threat seriously and our APS Police Department investigates them to the fullest. Out of an abundance of caution we will continue to partner with APD and Fulton County to provide increased law enforcement presence whenever possible. We ask students, parents, and community members to remain vigilant and continue to use our Say Something anonymous reporting system.

Westminster Schools and Pace Academy in Buckhead also sent alerts to parents alerting them to online threats to local schools.

A Westminster spokesperson said Thursday that the school did not receive a targeted threat, but sent the alert to parents out of an abundance of caution and to assure security was remaining vigilant as classes and activities continue.

Caption

The alert to sent to parents at Westminster.

Credit: Provided

This story has been updated to reflect that Westminster Schools did not receive a targeted threat on social media. This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.