Hoax Threat Leads To Increased Cop Presence At Plainfield South

JOLIET, IL — After yet another Internet rumor of a threat in District 202, there was an additional police presence at Plainfield South High School on Tuesday morning, according to WJOL, which reported that police investigated the Halloween threat and found it to be false.

"The school decided to have an increased police presence this morning just to ensure everyone felt comfortable," WJOL reported. "This was all communicated with parents and staff twice last night."

On Monday night, a parent posted on the Clublands subdivision Facebook group to report that her daughter had seen a rumor of a possible school shooting on Snapchat. "The kid is supposed to be coming to school dressed like the joker," the mom wrote. "... Joke/rumor or not, I felt all of us parents deserved to know. I don't take things like this lightly."

It's not the first rumored threat in District 202 this school year. A similar threat of violence was reported by a parent last month at Plainfield Central. In that incident, the mother urged other parents to keep their kids at home because of a "rumor that a student has threatened to shoot up the school tomorrow." By the next morning, that post was deleted, and district officials and police said it was investigated and deemed to be not credible. "The mis-information contained on social media postings has negatively fueled the belief in this rumor," Plainfield Central Principal Dave Stephen said in a message to PCHS parents the next day.

Watch Now: Increased Cop Presence At Plainfield South After Halloween Hoax

After that incident, District 202 Director of Community Relations Tom Hernandez also spoke out. "Given our size, it would be impossible and inappropriate to address every rumor that occurs," he said. "However, we absolutely will communicate directly, and provide accurate, appropriate information, about anything that is truly a concern."

Earlier this month, an out-of-state threat sparked similar concern among parents at Plainfield North. "The Plainfield police confirm that the threats come from a phone number in IOWA that is linked to school threats there," the district said in response to the Oct. 3 incident.

With the release of the horror movie "It" and a resurgence in "creepy clown" rumors nationwide in September, Superintendent Lane Abrell also issued a warning about unfounded threats, noting, "I strongly encourage you to be very cautious about rumors you hear or see on social media."

More via WJOL

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