LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
9:44 a.m. | Thursday, Sept. 12 –
Shortly after 9 a.m., school districts in Paris provided parents and guardians with additional information via mass text.
“There is not and has not been a credible threat to the safety of our students and staff. The PPD has shared that there is a nationwide Snapchat hoax that is causing concern across the country,” the text read. “Together with law enforcement, we continue to monitor the situation. The PPD has confirmed that we can continue with all normal school activities… Our collaboration with law enforcement is part of a proactive approach to foster positive relationships between our students and local law enforcement.”
PARIS – The presence of local law enforcement at several Paris schools on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 12 led to a firestorm of speculation on social media. Despite concerns from parents and local residents, authorities and school staff have verified that students are not in danger.
An official statement from Paris Police Chief Terry Rogers explained that intel received by the PPD late Wednesday, early Thursday was the primary motivation in sending officers to each of Paris’ schools.
“The Paris Police Department had received information in the overnight hours of a possible threat to Paris, Illinois schools. The threat was not specific, nor was it immediate or credible,” the statement reads. “However, Paris Police Department provided police presence at every school this morning and it will continue throughout the day, after school and tomorrow (Friday).”
A PPD officer on the scene at Crestwood School verified the information provided in the statement.
“There was no immediate threat to any of our schools,” he told a Prairie Press reporter.
The officer explained that discussions of active threats made in neighboring communities between students spurred school staff to take immediate action. Officers were dispatched and on the scene at multiple schools within minutes.
“We immediately had officers in place,” they said. “We take the safety of our students and our community very seriously.”
In a separate conversation with another Prairie Press reporter, one Paris High School staff member reported there were “no immediate threats at the high school.” The staff member also explained that they wished members of the community were not as quick to jump to conclusions and, as a result, incite panic.
This is a developing story. The Prairie Press will provide additional updates as they become available.