Rowe Online Threat

Rowe+Online+Threat

Police are currently investigating online threats of violence made towards Rowe Middle School. However, North Clackamas School District officials and officers from the Milwaukie Police Department  do not believe the student who made the threatening statement is a risk to those around him.

Milwaukie Police first learned about the threat Saturday morning after students saw posts on a gaming chat room and told school officials.

Police immediately looked into the threats, and after visiting the student’s home,  said they learned “there is not an immediate threat.” This is concerning to parents and student because in the messages spread through the internet it seems to be that there was a very detailed scheduled out plan to take out his fellow classmates.

School officials joined law enforcement in saying that they take these types of threats seriously. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently rolled out an ad campaign in Oregon that reminds people that even hoax threats of violence against schools or places can land you in jail.

Below is a full statement by the staff at Rowe Middle School sent out to all students and families:

“Dear Rowe Community –

This weekend, we were made aware that a Rowe Middle School student made threatening statements through a gaming chat room toward Rowe Middle School. A student who saw the posts reported it to a parent.

Milwaukie Police Department was contacted. They immediately launched an investigation. After a thorough analysis, which included a home visit, a meeting with the parents, and a threat assessment conducted by county mental health and juvenile assistance, they determined that there is not an immediate threat.

We want you to know that we take these incidents very seriously. Please know that the student will not be returning to Rowe. In an abundance of caution, with the cooperation of Milwaukie Police, we will have police presence on campus for the remainder of the school year. We understand that this creates a heightened level of fear given recent events in our nation. We will also have additional crisis counselors onsite to assist as needed.

The safety of all students is our highest priority. We are grateful to the students who reported this and the quick response by the Milwaukie Police Department. We are grateful for a community who looks after one another.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our schools safe for everyone.

Sincerely,

Cindy Detchon

Executive Director, Community Relations

Greg Harris

Principal, Rowe Middle School”

 

Police statements that the student can cause no harm did not soothe the minds of many parents at the school, according to posts found on the Facebook site “Milwaukie Chit Chat”. Many worry that police and North Clackamas School District staff are not taking this situation as seriously as it it should be- students have also voiced concern for their security and have admitted to being afraid to attend school.