As law enforcement and school districts across Yuma County continue to investigate potential threats at schools, officials sought to give parents and community members more confidence about school safety at a community forum Thursday.
Officials from Yuma, Somerton and San Luis police departments and school districts gathered at Yuma City Hall after some local schools closed or went on lockdown following online messages mentioning a possible school shooting.
Yuma Police Chief Thomas Garrity would not say whether there have been any credible threats or arrests in connection with recent potential threats to local schools, but he said Thursday that He said he would investigate any threats 24 hours a day and would only make public information if a problem arises. Potential threats lead to school closures and lockdowns.
Chief Garrity said the Yuma Police Department has received 250 calls about possible threats to schools this month alone. He said there has been a 170% increase in threats against schools in Arizona since the Sept. 4 high school shooting in Winder, Georgia, which left at least four people dead and nine others injured.
Officials said many local schools have school resource officers (SROs), which Yuma Mayor Doug Nichols said are partially funded by grants. Police officers are highly trained and facilitate communication between schools, districts, and law enforcement agencies.
YUHSD Health and Safety Director Henry Gonzalez said school safety emphasizes not only the physical safety of students, staff, and staff, but also the need to address the mental health of everyone involved.
Authorities asked parents to help monitor their children’s social media activity.
Mr Garrity urged parents and guardians to not only report but repost any potential threats as it could cause unnecessary anxiety.
Laurie Doering, superintendent of Crane Elementary School District in Yuma, said she discourages parents from taking out their children’s cell phones at night because some threats can be made overnight and can be seen and shared. Recommended.
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more on this article and continued coverage of law enforcement and schools in Yuma County.
