Long Beach police say they are investigating a threat against Hughes Middle School that was made on social media yesterday.
At this point, the threat does not seem credible, according to Long Beach Police Department spokesperson Brandon Fahey, who said officers received reports of the threat on Saturday afternoon.
“We will continue to work closely with LBUSD personnel to ensure the safety of all Long Beach schools,” Fahey said.
Police and school officials did not disclose exactly what the threat said. Hughes Middle School Principal Edward Steinhauser said in an email to families that it was made anonymously on an Instagram account.
“There are few details of the threat, no identified target, method, or plan,” Steinhauser said in the email. “I have been in constant contact with School Safety about this, and they are continuing to monitor for any more information.”
Steinhauser also said that school safety officers—LBUSD’s armed security force—would be present on campus Monday as an added precaution.
Authorities learned of the threat when someone submitted it to the LBUSD’s new anonymous reporting system called Say Something, which was launched in October.
The system is part of the youth violence prevention program funded by the Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit that provides the program and training for free.
It serves as a way for anyone to report concerning behavior such as school threats they’ve seen or overheard or personal crises including sexual harassment, self-harm, abuse, bullying and depression.
LBUSD launches anonymous reporting system for safety concerns