Malicious rumor of threat spread about PdCHS student
UPDATE: The Prairie du Chien Police Department was notified by the school district of the rumor concerns on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19. According to Chief Kyle Teynor, "We immediately began our threat assessment process with staff at the police department specifically trained to conduct such assessments."
While working with the school district, officers learned that specific details about the supposed threat were not true and, in fact, comfirmed that these specific details were categorically false and fabricated, Teynor said.
"We continued to work with the school district through the night and into Friday morning, Dec. 20, to ensure the safety of the school was not compromised," he added. "We shared with the district thoughts on canceling classes, continuing with classes under controlled conditions as well as operating as a normal school day. Ultimately, the decision to hold school was made by the school district and we fully support their decision."
Fabrications such as this may ultimately detract from the encouragement we instill in our community to report things they see and have factual knowledge of. We will continue to work diligently with the school district to investigate these reports and ensure the safety of our youth attending school. The reality is our children attend these same schools and none of our staff hesitated sending our children to school today."
ORIGINAL POST: Students, parents and members of the Prairie du Chien community received a letter, from Prairie du Chien Area School District Administrator Bryce Bird late this morning (Friday, Dec. 20), informing all about a high school student who had become victim of a malicious rumor spread regarding a threat to students on Friday.
The letter stated that, on Thursday, Dec. 19, a rumor, which has no basis, was started and "fueled by students, parents and community members spreading it on social media. District officials, along with local law enforcement, and informational technology support personnel, investigated this rumor and found no threat or basis for the rumor."
Bird said, "It is imperative in today's world that all threats are taken seriously and investigated, and the Prairie du Chien School District will continue to follow protocol to determine credibility."
