The Lewiston-Porter Central School District is investigating a "concerning" Snapchat message that mentioned school violence. This incident adds to the growing number of threats made on social media in several school districts across Western New York over the last week.
Superintendent Paul Casseri sent a message to parents and staff regarding the Snapchat message received by a student at Lewiston-Porter Middle School. The message referenced recent incidents at other schools and alluded to future events at schools in general. While the message was not a direct threat to the Lewiston-Porter campus, Casseri acknowledged that it could be distressing for anyone who receives it.
Upon receiving the report, school officials and the School Resource Officer were immediately notified. Casseri assured the community that at no time were the safety of the students or the school campus in jeopardy. However, he urged parents to remain vigilant about their child's social media accounts and online activities.
This recent threat follows a series of similar incidents in school districts across Niagara and Erie County. The Clarence Central School District reported a recent threat at the Sheridan Hill School where a comment was found on a bathroom wall. The Clarence Central School District had previously alerted parents and the community about hate-related and threatening graffiti found on school grounds.
Last week, Medina Central Schools and law enforcement investigated a rumored threat but it was deemed not credible. Just days ago the Niagara County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a juvenile following threats made at two Niagara County school districts - Newfane and Lockport. The juvenile responsible for the threats has been charged with one count of making a threat of mass harm.
Lewiston-Porter Schools Investigating Threatening and Violent Snapchat Message