District re-emphasizes “no credibility” to Rancho Mirage High threat
Echoing prior statements issued by the school and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department earlier this week, Palm Springs Unified School District sent out a message this morning to emphasize that there is “no credibility” to a social media threat issued to Rancho Mirage High School.
“We want to stress that we take all potential threats seriously and monitor social media closely,” reads the message from Joan L. Boiko, the District’s Coordinator of Communication and Community Outreach. “Regarding the postings this week, we want to assure you that district and local law enforcement officials have conducted an extensive investigation including interviews and a home search and have found no credibility to these postings.”
Boiko later focuses on the need to report any suspicious activity, “rather than continue to spread rumors.”
“We understand that parents and students may be fearful and feel that they are doing the right thing by posting information they think may have validity,” reads the message. “However the most productive course of action is to report any concerns to a trusted adult at school or to law enforcement to immediately address.”
The District will be maintaining a “zero tolerance” policy regarding the spread of false rumors.”Those who violate this policy may face serious consequences for their actions,” the message concludes.
The Rancho Mirage Police Department (RMPD) also issued a statement relating to the incident, going into deeper detail about the incident’s investigation.
“The threat came by word of mouth, and by a posting via a social media website,” the statement reads. “Once received, the school resource officer and police department staff immediately conducted several investigations during the week to determine the validity of the possible threat.”
Earlier in the week, Deputy Armand Munoz of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department weighed in on the situation, stating that there was “no credible threat” to Rancho Mirage High School.
“The “Kids with Guns Protocol” was enforced, and a search of a student’s home was conducted. The search revealed the student did not have the ability to carry out any threat,” continues the RMPD statement. “The investigation also revealed the photograph shown on social media sites was taken from a posting a year prior, altered and manipulated.”
Anyone with additional information relating to this case is urged to contact the Rancho Mirage Police Department at 760-836-1600.
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