UPDATED: Novato PD Amps Up Presence at Local High Schools After Threat

Novato police were stationed at the city’s three high school campuses Friday after a threat of violence at Novato High School was posted on an anonymous social media site, police and school officials said.

Concerned parents contacted police Thursday after several students saw the threat posted on a social media site, police said.

Lt. Oliver Collins would not disclose specifics about the threat.

Parents received word about the threat by an automated phone call, on Facebook and Twitter and the Novato Unified School District mentioned it on its website Friday.

About one-third of Novato High School’s students were picked up by their parents, the district’s press information officer Leslie Benjamin said.

“Additional interviews and investigation were conducted during the day,” police said in a statement. “There were no reported incidents/crimes at any of the NUSD schools today.”

The threat was specific to Novato High School, but police also were sent to San Marin High School and Marin Oaks High School.

“We are trying to maintain our presence and not disrupt learning,” Collins said Friday afternoon. About a dozen officers were sent to the schools, Collins said.

ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

Novato police are patrolling three area high schools Friday morning because of a threat against students at Novato High School found on social media Thursday night, school district officials said.

Police are providing extra presence at Novato High at 625 Arthur St., San Marin High School at 15 San Marin Drive and Marin Oaks High School at 720 Diablo Ave., according to the Novato Unified School District.

Principal Matthew Baldwin issued the following statement:

“Last night an anonymous posting on social media was discovered indicating potential harm to students at Novato High School resulting in police presence at Novato High, San Marin and Marin Oaks today ensuring that students and staff feel safe. Given the communication through social media that will likely happen through students today, we want you to have accurate information.”

All schools are open and the police presence is only at district high schools.

Baldwin added that the district is working with police to investigate the threat further, and will provide updates as they become available.

— Bay city news service contributed to this report.