WORCESTER—School officials and the Worcester Police Department continue to respond to social media threats of violence targeting schools, as new updates were sent to families over the weekend and again on Monday.
In a joint statement, Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez and Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier assured the community that while police are investigating the threats, they do not believe the messages are credible.
The concerns first emerged on Friday, when WPS alerted families to threatening messages circulating online. By Saturday, multiple students across various schools reported seeing additional threats, prompting a continued investigation by WPD. Authorities are working to determine if the new messages are related to earlier threats from the week.
As a precaution, there will be an increased police presence at schools across the city, starting Monday and continuing throughout the week. School staff have also been instructed to tighten visitor management and ensure that all safety protocols are being strictly followed.
“We are disappointed and frustrated about the continuous online threats that have been made toward schools statewide, most of which turn out not to be credible,” the letter stated. Despite the frustrations, Monárrez and Saucier emphasized that WPS is taking each threat seriously, and the safety of students and staff remains the top priority.
The weekend update also thanked students and families for promptly reporting the threats. WPS and WPD will continue to maintain close communication as the situation evolves.
Similar threats have been reported in school districts across Massachusetts and the country, though officials are treating each case seriously.
Families are encouraged to update their contact information to receive important alerts, and school counselors are available for students feeling anxious. WPS reminds the community to report any safety concerns to school administrators immediately.
For more information, families can refer to the Worcester Public Schools website, where additional resources on student wellness and safety protocols are available.
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