CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have launched a campaign to inform the public about the consequences of making school threats.
The #ThinkBeforeYouPost campaign is a reminder that fake threats are not a joke and can carry criminal punishments for those involved.
“As the new school year ramps up, we need the public to understand this message. Making threats against schools, even those you did not intend to carry out, can result in felony convictions at the state or federal level. It is not a joke,” said John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.
Officials say law enforcement agencies often see increases in threats made to schools and other public places following tragic shootings like the ones at Santa Fe High School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is committed to keeping this community safe, and we know how quickly misinformation, especially on social media, can spread,” said CMPD Police Chief Kerr Putney. “We work in close partnership with the FBI, CMS and the DA’s office to investigate these claims, arrest and charge individuals who make threats via social media. It is a serious crime that involves serious consequences.”
Authorities believe public assistance is necessary to limit hoax threats and suggest that community members continue to contact law enforcement to report potential threats or suspicious activity.
“CMS values the partnership with FBI and CMPD to issue this important call to keep our schools safe,” said CMS Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox. “This is a strong message to our families that all law enforcement agencies are working cohesively on the issue of school safety.”
Agencies and officers say they spend countless hours and schools lose valuable learning time responding to threats to determine their credibility. So, they would like to remind young people that they can seriously damage their future by making a hoax school threat.
The #ThinkBeforeYouPost Campaign will include digital billboard space, donated by Adams Outdoor Advertising and Orange Barrel Media, in the Charlotte area and inside the Epicentre to spread the message.
Local law enforcement agencies and CMS will use their social media platforms to share the message as well.
What Should You Do to Help?
- Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats … period.
- If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.
- If you see a threat of violence posted on social media, immediately contact local law enforcement
or your local FBI office. - Notify authorities, but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to
investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic. - If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a
cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control. Talk to your child about the proper
outlet for their stress or other emotions, and explain the importance of responsible social media use
and the consequences of posting hoax threats.
