Students 'Never In Harm's Way,' D202 Tell Families About Threats

PLAINFIELD, IL — A rumored threat to an "East High School" circulating social media Thursday morning is unsubstantiated, according to District 202 and Plainfield police officials.

A minor has been charged with disorderly conduct after the incident, Plainfield police announced Thursday afternoon. Police did not respond to Patch's request for comment with additional details.

At 8:54 a.m., the Plainfield Police Department alerted the community on Facebook that they were aware of "rumors and social media posts pertaining to school threats within our jurisdiction." Officers were investigating the rumors, which originated on Snapchat, and found no evidence to back the threats, the post said.

"This message has apparently made its way across the region and I believe even beyond state lines, with again no specific East high school being identified," Chief John Konopek said in an email relayed to Patch by Commander Anthony Novak. "We continue to check into this post, and out of an abundance of caution we had an increased visible presence at Plainfield East this morning."

He said one reason the police department doesn't share specifics of threats on social media is to "not compromise any criminal investigation we have in the progress," and because parents at the respective schools are usually notified by school officials.

At around the same time Plainfield police shared the post, an email from Plainfield East Principal Joseph O'Brien went out to families alerting them of the possible threat. The school went into soft lockdown as soon as students notified staff of the potential danger, Director of Community Relations Tom Hernandez said. The hold-in-place, meaning students had to stay in their classrooms, lasted for about 10 minutes while police investigated.

"Students were never in harm’s way and instruction continued throughout," the email reads. "Based on their investigation, the threat has been an ongoing post not specific to any high school, and not toward anyone in the Bengal community."

The message continues: "We want to express our gratitude to our student body. Because you took the steps to let us know what was being posted, we were able to investigate it quickly."

Hernandez said when an online threat is made against a generically named school — East, North, Central or South High School, in the case of District 202 — officials contact the police to investigate since it's possible the threat can apply to their schools.

"We do not fool around," Hernandez said. "We understand that kids don't have the ability to think beyond their immediate moment, but that's why it's important that adults ... understand the days of [kids are just fooling around] are gone."

Not even 12 hours earlier, Plainfield North High School Principal Ross Draper sent his own email to the community, alerting parents of a separate possible threat, one that originated on a Discord server. The message, sent at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday, let families know about a comment that said a school shooting will take place at Plainfield North on May 15, 2022.

The principal said that since the police, who were immediately contacted, and school administration addressed the threat, rumors suggested it would take place Thursday instead. But he said based on the investigation, Plainfield North was safe and would be operating as normal Thursday.

As a precaution, he requested additional officers on campus to "help students, parents and staff feel more comfortable." The school also continued its normal procedure of securing doors and closely monitoring entry to the building.

In a follow-up email sent at 7:29 a.m. Thursday, Draper explained why the message was sent and how the district operates when it comes to possible threats of violence.

"In this situation, there was a lot of misinformation out there from the facts posted regarding the threat," Draper wrote. "Rumors are the quickest way for students, staff, and parents to become concerned about safety. I share your same concerns as a principal and parent. If I believed the building was not safe, we would not have students and staff in the building."

In light of many potential threats arising on social media, Hernandez said families should be aware of what their children do online.

"To the extent that parents and guardians and adults can be aware of what their students are doing ... we need them to be aware," Hernandez said.