VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — There's been another reported threat made against a Hampton Roads school division, this time in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Virginia Beach Police leaders flagged a concerning post, which reportedly implied a threat to city schools, Tuesday night.
"While there were no schools specifically named, we understand it’s concerning for both students and parents," Lt. Kevin Lokey with the police department's youth services unit told 13News Now. "So we take these cases very seriously." Lokey added social media threats can sometimes be difficult to track, explaining, "One thing that we see, that’s actually fairly common with threats made on social media, is that they originate outside of Virginia, they involve other schools."
School went on as planned Wednesday. The division told parents that it does not believe there is a “credible threat” to school safety, and urged families to ensure their children are careful and intentional about what they post online.
"Those responsible will face serious consequences," Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson, Jr. said in a statement. "Threats not only violate school policies but also local laws, and violators will be held accountable."
The message comes after a slew of threats targeting schools nationwide and throughout Hampton Roads in recent weeks.
Tommy DeMartini, director of VBCPS' office of security and emergency management, says the recent rash follows an unfortunate trend. "We had a tragedy over in Georgia, and then we had a violent occurrence on the other side of the water," he said. "Typically after these events, we do see a spike in these types of threats."
School officials and police alike are asking students and parents to abide by "see something, say something." However, they tell people who may see suspicious posts online not to share them digitally. "That only further spreads fear," said Lokey. DeMartini added, "It’s really doing more harm than good by sending it to your friends. What we’d really like them to do is notify an adult right away so we can get it the proper authorities as quick as possible."
This isn't isolated to area public schools. Last week, St. John the Apostle Catholic School, a Virginia Beach private school, canceled classes Thursday and Friday after receiving threats via email. A North Carolina man is now in custody on a $1 million bond in connection to the incident.
Matt Delaney, VBCPS' chief schools officer, explained, even when threats are unsubstantiated, they have an affect on students, staff and parents. "It’s been in surrounding schools and around the country today, so it’s impacting thousands and thousands of young people in a matter that’s disappointing to see," Delaney said.
Police and school officials both emphasized making threats is a serious matter. Delaney said, "Have that conversation with your child and recognize the decisions they make could not only lead to school disciplinary actions, but also criminal charges." Lt. Lokey elaborated, "For posting a threat on social media, a person can face a felony charge."
VBCPS Superintendant's full statement reads as follows:
"VBCPS Families and Staff,
The purpose of this message is to address a rash of social media threats that have been circulating across the country for the past two weeks and have now reached VBCPS. In the last 24 hours, several of our schools have received general social media threats that have been viewed by students, parents, and staff. These messages are alarming and intended to create fear and disrupt the learning environment.
As your superintendent, I want to assure you that the safety of our students, staff, and school communities is our top priority. Our schools remain safe, and we continue to work diligently to create a welcoming and conducive environment for teaching and learning. I also ask for your help in responding appropriately if a threat — whether verbal, written, or on social media — is discovered. Together, we can set the standard of how our community stands united against such threats.
Here are some key points about our safety measures and the role you can play in maintaining a safe school environment:
Comprehensive Safety Measures:
VBCPS has robust safety protocols in place to protect students and staff. This includes the Office of Security and Emergency Management (OSEM), a dedicated team of professionals who work in close collaboration with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). Each secondary school has a school resource officer (SRO). We also have armed security officers who are former law enforcement professionals. Trained security assistants monitor all buildings, and each school is equipped with the Raptor visitor management system. All exterior doors remain locked, with security personnel stationed at main entrances. Surveillance cameras provide 24/7 monitoring of school grounds. Additionally, all staff members undergo crisis management training.
Threats Are Taken Seriously:
All threats — whether verbal, written, or circulated on social media — are thoroughly investigated by both VBCPS and VBPD. Those responsible will face serious consequences. Threats not only violate school policies but also local laws, and violators will be held accountable.
Impact of Threats on School Operations:
Threats, regardless of their credibility, cause substantial disruptions to school operations. They impede teaching and learning for both students and staff, creating unnecessary anxiety and fear. Instead of uniting us, these threats serve to divide our community at a time when we should be working together.
Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility:
Students: It is critical that students never forward a written or digital threat. Instead, they should immediately inform a school official or parent. Sharing such messages only contributes to the disruption and violates the Code of Student Conduct.
Parents: Please talk to your children about the importance of reporting concerns directly to you or a school official without spreading the information among peers. Additionally, we encourage you to monitor your child's social media activity and reinforce the importance of responsible online behavior.
Staff: Every member of our staff has a professional duty to report any potential threat immediately to the school administration, SRO, or security team to ensure a swift and appropriate response.
We are grateful for your support in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students. Let us work together to ensure our schools remain places where every student can thrive without fear."