Kansas school district and police chief send serious message to students despite threats

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – School districts across the country are facing a number of threats.

Now a Kansas school district and police chief are working to do something about it.

Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart and Lawrence School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift recorded a joint video to send a message directly to students.

They said they wanted to make sure students knew how seriously they would take any threats made to them.

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“These are serious matters, so we are asking you, students, to help each other and help us because we are all working together to keep our schools safe so that students can focus on their learning and our staff feel safe to teach,” Swift said.

Students found guilty of making threats face suspension, expulsion and even prison time.

During the video, students are asked to report any threats they see, but not to repost or share them. Sharing a posted threat can also get students in trouble.

Criminal threats carry serious legal consequences. Students, when you post things involving violence or threats at school, these are very serious topics that have very serious consequences,” Lockhart said. “You can be charged with a crime and a crime means you go to jail, and we don’t want you to be there.”

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School families and students are asked to report any safety concerns to an adult at the school for immediate investigation and to report any potential criminal activity to the Lawrence Kansas Police Department.

The video will be shown to all high school students in the Lawrence School District.

You can also watch the video below.

The message is also shared with parents and guardians, as well as on social media.