Heightened security continues at two Petersburg schools two days after violent threat made
PETERSBURG – School officials say the violent threat issued online against Petersburg High and Vernon Johns Middle schools last weekend was unfounded, yet the system is keeping heightened security in place for the next few days.
Both schools were put under “controlled movement” Monday because of the ongoing investigation into the threat. In a Facebook post Tuesday morning, the school system said Vernon Johns remained under controlled movement “to aid police with their continued investigation.” That prompted one poster to respond that the system should consider shuttering the school for the rest of the week.
The message did not mention PHS, which is next door to the middle school.
A spokesperson for the school system said further updates about the investigation would be released by Petersburg Police. As of Tuesday morning, there were no updates to report.
The nature of the threat has not yet been released.
In a video released by the school system late Monday, school superintendent Dr. Tamara Sterling said she understood “how unsettling and scary” the situation is for students and their parents. Sterling said safety is a top priority in schools, “and because of this, we were able to act quickly” once the threat was made.
“Our goal was to not allow these unfounded threats to drum up fear throughout our community and become a disruption to the learning process,” she said on the video.
Sterling, assistant superintendent Dr. Julius Hamlin and system security director Paul Ronca stand in front of PHS in the two-and-a-half-minute video. Hamlin said Monday’s school day “went very well,” while Ronca said he wanted to “ensure parents that out children are safe in our schools.”
Certified security personnel are in place, he said, and “we have a great relationship with out Petersburg Police Department.” Electronic security checkpoints are at main access points in the schools, and students are only allowed to carry clear backpacks that are subject to search.
Neither police nor the system have said if any other schools were targeted by the recent online threat.
Enhanced police presence is expected at both schools throughout the week.
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Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg continues extra security despite 'unfounded' threat
