Halloween costumes barred as Chaparral High School takes precautions following online threat
This story was updated at 12:35 p.m.
Once again, threats posted on social media prompted security precautions at a public school, and this time it put a damper on campus Halloween celebrations.
On Saturday an unnamed student at Chaparral High School reported a social media post threatening the school's students to the school's principal. The Gadsden Independent School District reported the threat to the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department and New Mexico State Police.
On Monday morning, school proceeded under tight security, but by 12:30 p.m. the school district announced that law enforcement had made contact with the post's author and issued an "all clear" for normal procedures at the high school. It was not immediately clear whether anyone had been detained over the incident.
School district spokesperson Luis Villalobos said authorities took the threat seriously, as it contained a reference to a specific school site and was lengthier than other such posts the district had seen. He added that the school was taking every measure available to ensure safety and maintain services.
The district recently introduced organized volunteer patrols by parents but the program is not in place at high schools.
Chaparral High held classes on its regular schedule Monday, which landed on Halloween, with sheriff's deputies maintaining a visible presence at the school.
Halloween costumes were prohibited as well as bags and backpacks. Afterschool activities were canceled on Monday and staff were instructed to be extra vigilant in making sure classroom doors as well as entrances to the school building were locked. Bathroom breaks were controlled and other activities and student movements around campus were closely monitored.
"This is something that schools throughout the country have to deal with," Villalobos said. "Since social media is such an anonymous platform, anybody can place any message anywhere in the world. It affects schools, it affects industries, it affects the whole society."
In addition to the law enforcement presence, the district said counselors were assigned to the high school to be available for students who wish to talk about the incident. Other district staff were assigned to be on campus for additional support and Gadsden ISD Superintendent Travis Dempsey visited during the morning.
Parents keeping their children home from school were urged to notify the high school and request an excused absence.
On Monday morning, Villalobos said classes were proceeding with minimal disruption and students were cooperating with the restrictions until the tighter protocols were lifted in the afternoon.
Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Chaparral High School takes precautions after social media threat
