TikTok Threats Prompt Elevated Police Presence In Madison Schools

MADISON, CT — In a cursory search of TikTok, Patch was able to locate dozens of videos that include advisories, and plans, for students to skip school Friday due to threats of possible violence.

Threats and hoaxes describing potential incidents are largely not credible, police say, but they're not taking chances, nor are Madison schools.

"The state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and Connecticut State Police have been made aware of hoax posts circulating on social media that there will be school threats on Friday," an advisory reads. "The Connecticut Intelligence Center has been investigating and monitoring the social media trend," and has "not yet identified any specific or credible threats" to any Connecticut schools.

In Madison, schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Cooke sent a message to families Thursday afternoon about the rumored threats noting that both the district and police know about the "nationwide TikTok challenge involving a general threat to schools."

"We are being told these are not credible threats in Connecticut. We are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. Neither Madison nor any of our schools have been mentioned in the challenge," Cooke said.

But, out of an abundance of caution, there will be "increased police presence in schools" Friday.

"As always, if you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a member of the administration right away," Cooke said.

As state officials noted, and as learned through Patch searches, TikTok and other social media posts and rumors have been rife for the past several days. State public safety officials noted too, that "many law enforcement agencies around the country have received tips related to these rumors."

The flood of threats, hoaxes and advisories are linked to TikTok videos challenging, or advising, kids to skip school Friday.

Not unlike many other communities across the state, New Haven saw numerous school shooting threat hoaxes last week, all of which prompted lockdowns and early dismissals in numerous schools. There were also a number of arrests of juveniles cops said were behind social media threats. While none of the threats in New Haven were deemed credible, as state police said, "any school threat that is made in Connecticut is immediately taken very seriously by law enforcement."

"If a threat is determined to be a hoax, there will be a thorough investigation and arrests will be made," it's noted.

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