MULTI-AGENCY REMINDER TO NOT MAKE SCHOOL THREATS IN THE EL PASO AREA

August 09, 2023

EL PASO, TX—Now that schools are back in session, El Paso law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies want to take a moment to remind parents and students that threats directed towards El Paso schools will not be tolerated, and every agency will treat each threat as if it’s real and will respond with significant resources to address the threat.

In 2022, almost 6000 school threats were reported to the FBI, a 60% increase from 2021. Across El Paso, law enforcement agencies were diverting resources to address a minimum of three threats a day from each school across Region 19 school districts.

If you see a threat on social media, report it immediately to law enforcement. Please don't forward the social media post to other individuals, as it amplifies community fear and makes it more difficult for law enforcement to determine if the forwarded posts are new threats or original threats.

"Collaboration and cooperation among all of our law enforcement partners is the key to keeping our students safe and thriving in our community,” said El Paso Independent School District Chief of Police Manuel Chavira. “Familiarity in our communications and consistency in our law enforcement responses ensures efficiency and effectiveness in all operational activities."

"Any threats made towards schools, whether online, over the phone, or in person, will be immediately investigated,” said El Paso Police Department Interim Police Chief Peter Pacillas. “These school threats often begin as hoaxes on social media, but their impact is far from a joke. Life is at risk when precious resources are diverted from genuine emergencies to deal with false alarms. Threatening a school carries severe consequences - both for our children's and their families' safety."

“The District Attorney’s Office takes violence in our schools, or the threat of violence, very seriously and is committed to prosecuting those involved with severe prejudice,” said El Paso County District Attorney Bill Hicks. “If a person acts out their threat and takes a firearm to a school, it is a 3rd Degree Felony offense with possible punishment of up to 10 years in a prison facility. Our schools must be and will be a safe place for all our children and young people to study and learn.”

“The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers have made campus safety a top priority, assuring our children have a safe environment to learn and grow,” said El Paso County Sheriff Office Patrol Commander Ryan Urrutia. “The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will work closely with our area law enforcement to hold those who threaten our schools accountable for their actions.”

“As a community, we need to ensure our children feel safe in their schools and remind those who threaten our children that law enforcement will find you and bring you to justice,” said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. “As a parent of school-age children, I recognize the importance of remaining vigilant. We need to talk with our children about what is happening at school and ensure we immediately report any threats or safety concerns to law enforcement and school officials.”

“These initiatives, and the united partnerships of law enforcement officials at the local and federal levels, are incredibly important to ensuring communities across the country are kept safe,” said El Paso Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Luis Gonzalez of the Western District of Texas. “We, as law enforcement officials, are surely not the only ones united today. I trust that I speak for all of us when I say this country is fed up with violence in our schools, and we will not tolerate threats against them. We can create a safe and peaceful learning environment for everyone.”

Any member of the community can report threats to law enforcement in many ways. If there is an immediate threat to life, please call 911. All other tips can be reported to your preferred law enforcement agency. The City of El Paso has several methods established and are monitored 24/7 by law enforcement personnel: (915) 832-4400 or text 847-411 with “EPPD and then tip.” You can also download the “El Paso PD” app to text tips and receive alerts.

The FBI can also receive tips at tips.fbi.gov or (915) 832-5000.

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