HdG High School Snapchat Threat Under Investigation

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The Havre de Grace Police Department is working with Havre de Grace High School to investigate a social media threat on Monday, authorities said. The announcement came days after another threat put the school on Congress Avenue on alert.

"We are aware of the threat to Havre de Grace High School over social media. The School Resource Officer is actively investigating the threat with the HdGHS administrators," the Havre de Grace Police Department said in a statement on Monday. "We will update as soon as possible."

The threat of a shooting was spread via Snapchat and appeared to have been copied at several schools in the region, according to Havre de Grace High School leadership. Monday's threat came on the heels of another threat that was reported on Thursday, which also spread through Snapchat.

SEE ALSO: Threat At Havre de Grace High Unfounded, Principal Says

This is what Havre de Grace High School Principal Jim Reynolds had to say to community members regarding the incident on Monday.

"We were made aware of a screenshot of a Snapchat containing threatening language to our community. The threat is similar in nature to the threats that were circulating last week and it appears to be a copy of a threat seen in school systems in other districts," Reynolds said.

"We are investigating the threat along with the Havre de Grace Police Department and the Harford County Public Schools Coordinator of Safety and Security. We will send an update at the conclusion of the investigation, but want to assure you at this time that your students and our staff’s safety continues to be our utmost priority," Reynolds said.

"We ask for your patience as we continue our investigation and thank you in advance for your understanding if we are unable to respond to all inquiries at this time," he continued. "Our priority, as noted, is the safety of our building and we are dedicated to completing the investigation in a timely manner."

There is an anonymous tip line that anyone may use if they wish to share information about threats with authorities. People are asked to refrain from spreading rumors about unsubstantiated threats. Call 443-502-0685 or email hdgtipline@gmail.com.

Schools across the nation have been on high alert since 17 people, many of them students, were killed and 16 more injured in a Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Threats to schools, many of them turning out to be unsubstantiated, have skyrocketed.

According to The Educator's School Safety Network, there have been 546 school-based threats or violent incidents in the U.S. since the Parkland shooting — an average of 78 per school day. In all, 491 schools in all 50 states have been threatened or had actual violence happen, according to the group.

Last week, Bel Air and Harford Technical High Schools were also on alert due to threats that were not deemed substantiated. In addition, two girls at Edgewood High School were charged as adults after authorities said they wrote a threatening note on a desk in an attempt to get out of class.

"We take these threats seriously and do not consider them humorous in any way. Even if threats are not deemed credible, you can be charged with a crime," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said. "School shootings, like the recent one in Parkland, Florida, are tragic events, and should not be used in an attempt to leverage a prank in order to disrupt school operations."

The Harford County Sheriff's Office has announced it will hold a town hall forum on school safety on Thursday, March 1. Local leaders and law enforcement officials from the Harford County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments will be on hand, as will officials from Harford County government and Harford County Public Schools.

In less than 48 hours of announcing the forum, officials said that people reserved 1,000 free tickets to the event, which has "sold out." The Harford Cable Network will broadcast the town hall at a time to be determined, according to the sheriff's office.

RELATED: Edgewood High School Students Charged After Threats Found On Desk

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