'No Credible Threats' To Homewood District 153 Schools: PD

Crime & Safety

'No Credible Threats' To Homewood District 153 Schools: PD Superintendent Dr. Scott McAlister said all threats must be taken seriously, though most have been deemed not credible.

HOMEWOOD, IL — Threats circulating on social media and have been deemed not credible, and pose no danger to Homewood schools, police said Thursday morning.

Police have "been made aware of a non-specific school threat that has been circling social media," police said in an alert. "The Homewood Police Department has been in contact with administrators of District 153, who have advised there have been no credible threats made to Homewood schools James Hart, Willow, and Churchill."

Students and families raised concern to school officials about a TikTok video and an Instagram post with a threat to James Hart School. Administrators could not find the posts, "but there is a post circulating that warns students that something could happen 'at all schools,'" Superintendent Scott McAlister said in an email to parents Thursday morning.

"We understand how this post can be upsetting to our school community, but there is no evidence of a threat to James Hart School referenced in any online posts of which District 153 and the Homewood Police are aware," McAlister wrote.

Schools in the Chicago suburbs and nationwide have seen an uptick in threats following a Sept. 4 shooting in Georgia that left two students and two teachers dead, McAlister said.

"While most of these threats have been investigated and found not credible, each one must be taken seriously," McAlister wrote.

School staff will emphasize to students the serious nature of threats, he added.

"We hope you will reinforce that message with your student(s) at home," he said.

Homewood Police will remain vigilant in the days ahead.

"The Homewood Police Department will continue to monitor social media platforms and work together with School District 153 to ensure no specific threats are made to area schools," police said.

Anyone with additional information or questions regarding the school threats should contact the Homewood Police Department at (708)206-3420.