JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two school districts on the First Coast say they will have increased police presence at schools Monday after separate social media threats have circulated online.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said in a Facebook post Sunday night that a 13-year-old from Madison County has been taken into custody by the Madison County Sheriff's Office because of possibly being connected to a "social media threat."
A similar threat was received in another North Florida county, according to the sheriff's office, although police did not mention where or when it was received; the sheriff's office said it is working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners to the identify the origin of the post with the threat.
The sheriff's office said in response to the threat, extra law enforcement will be at "all of our secondary campuses tomorrow." The Lake City Police Department will also be helping to provide extra coverage around campuses within the city Monday.
"Additionally, we have had several requests for increased presence at many other campuses to include private schools within the county that normally do not have deputies assigned full-time," the post states. "We are working to accommodate these requests and are coordinating with personnel to increase our presence at both public and private campuses throughout the county."
Moreover, CCSO said the investigation into the threat is still ongoing and its enhanced safety precautions will remain in effect.
"We will continue to post updates as information becomes available," CCSO said.
Meanwhile, Ware County Schools said in a Facebook post that the Ware County Schools Police Department, Waycross Police Department, Ware County Sheriff’s Office, GEMA and Homeland Security, have been looking into an image which was determined to have originated from another Georgia county last week.
The school district said "law enforcement in that county has addressed the matter with the original sender."
Furthermore, the post states that the image has a text overlay on it which targets "different school systems in our region," including Ware. The school district said surrounding districts have received the same threat with their county being identified as the "target."
"While we do not believe there is a specific credible threat to our schools at this time, we will be taking extra steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff," Ware County Schools' post reads. "This includes increased police presence, supported by our local law enforcement partners. Our students' and staff members' safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your continued support and communication."
The school district said if there are any concerns you have, please do not hesitate to reach out and share them.
"Together, we will continue to provide a secure and nurturing environment for our school community," the post states.
The heightened security at the two school districts Monday come after the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. last week, in which four people lost their lives. Also last week, another threat was made toward Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, as a student made a social media post involving a weapon; Duval County Public Schools police said the threat wasn't credible.