HOUSTON — While it is still early in the new school year, FBI Houston says it alone has already received more than 30 hoax threats.
Federal agents said this number is more than any given month last year.
Houston ISD said seven students have already been arrested this school year in connection with hoax threats.
“While most of the threats we come across are a hoax. The consequences for those who make these threats are no joke,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Soyez said. “Threatening to commit acts of violence against a school, joke or not, is a crime.”
The FBI also said that if you see a threat on social media, in an email or a text message, take screenshot and immediately tell your school police, school administrator, or another adult. Do not report a school threat via social media by tagging a law enforcement agency.
Here is HISD’s full statement on the recent arrests:
“When it comes to student safety, Chief Garner has emphasized that the District takes every threat, real or hoax, very seriously. Hoax threats are a crime. They are not a joke, and they can have very real consequences. It is important for students and parents to know that every threat is assigned to a criminal investigator.
“Recently, seven students have been arrested and charged, many of those charges are felonies.
“Parents and caregivers, please talk to your children about the seriousness of engaging in this dangerous behavior.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. Together we will keep our community safe.”
