Phoenix school brings in extra police officers after online threats

PHOENIX — Students at a Phoenix high school returned from the holiday weekend to an increased police presence on campus Tuesday after online threats were made.

In a letter, the Deer Valley Unified School District said it learned Friday evening that threatening messages had been posted on social media about Sandra Day O’Connor High School, located near Happy Valley Road and Interstate 17.

“(The) Phoenix [Police Department] and school administration worked together to find the origination of this comment, that was made on Thursday,” the letter from Principal Lynn Miller read.

“Phoenix PD has spoken to those involved and responsible and has deemed that there is not, nor was there, a credible threat to our campus, students or staff.”

The school decided to bring in the extra officers on a precautionary basis.

The threats came just days after a shooting at a Florida high school that left at least 17 dead. Miller wrote that parents should not be concerned with their children’s safety, as the school takes steps to keep students safe.

“I ask that we stay strong and do not allow fear to overtake the belief, faith and freedoms that we have in sending our children to schools on a daily basis,” she wrote.

Miller also wrote that students should continue to tell a school official or police if they see something suspicious.

“Remember that the best and most helpful information needs to be promptly provided to authorities, so we are able to assure all our students and staff are successful in a safe and secure learning environment,” she wrote.

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