As law enforcement agencies and school districts throughout Yuma County continue to investigate potential school threats, officials sought to make parents and community members feel more confident about safety in schools at a community forum Thursday.
Officials from police departments and school districts in Yuma, Somerton and San Luis came together at Yuma City Hall after some local schools have gone through closures and lockdowns after online messages that mentioned possible school shootings.
Yuma Police Chief Thomas Garrity did not say if there were any credible threats or arrests made in connection with any of the recent local potential school threats but he and the others said Thursday they investigate any potential threat around the clock and only make public announcements if a potential threat leads to school closure or lockdown.
Chief Garrity said the Yuma Police Department has received 250 reports about possible school threats just this month. He said there has been a 170 percent increase in school threats in Arizona since a Sept. 4 high school shooting in Winder, Ga. At least four people died and nine others were injured.
Officials said many local schools have school resource officers, or SROs, who Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls said are partly funded by grants. The officers are highly trained and facilitate communication between schools, districts and law enforcement.
YUHSD Director of Health and Safety Henry Gonzalez said school safety is not just about the physical safety of students, faculty and staff but also highlights a need to address the mental health of everyone involved.
Officials asked parents to work with them to monitor their children's social media activities.
Garrity asked parents and guardians to report any possible threats and not just repost them as that can create unnecessary anxiety.
Laurie Doering, the superintendent for the Crane Elementary School District in Yuma, suggested parents take their kids' phones at night as some threats can be made, seen and shared overnight.
—-
Stay tuned to KAWC for more on this story and ongoing coverage of law enforcement and schools in Yuma County.