9/23/2024 – On Friday, Parkway was invited to a joint news conference with the U.S. District Attorney’s Office and the FBI to discuss the frequency of hoax threats against schools across St. Louis and their consequences.

In recent weeks, many schools locally and across the country, including Parkway, have experienced hoax threats via social media and phone calls. Each threat is taken seriously.

Consequences for those who make a hoax threat
Greg Wagener, Parkway Coordinator of Student Discipline, spoke at the news conference about how these threats impact students and teachers and the disciplinary consequences of threats when they are found to be from a student. Wagener also spoke about Parkway’s student threat assessment process, which allows schools to proactively identify and manage potential threats and intervene to prevent violence.

Local and federal law enforcement shared the severe consequences for anyone who makes a threat. The message for parents and students from law enforcement is not to share social media posts with threats and instead contact the police. Sharing the posts slows down the police investigation.

According to law enforcement, the threats are coming fast and furious this year, as they haven’t seen before. An FBI agent stated, “We will find you, and you will be held accountable.” In September, in St. Louis County, six juveniles were referred to the juvenile court system for making a terroristic threat.

Resources for parents and staff
We will continue to remind parents that we need their partnership to keep our schools safe.

To create a safer school environment and reduce the impact of hoax threats, we recommend the following proactive steps for parents:

1. Talk to Your Children: Open, honest conversations with students about the importance of safety, appropriate behavior online, and the consequences of making or sharing threats can make a big difference. Encourage students to express concerns and feel comfortable discussing safety-related issues with trusted adults.

2. Report, Don’t Repost: Social media can quickly spread information—and misinformation. Instead of sharing or reposting unverified threats, students and parents should report suspicious content directly to school officials or local law enforcement. Responsible action ensures that the proper authorities can respond without unnecessary panic.

3. Avoid Spreading Rumors: Misinformation can escalate fear and anxiety. Students and parents should avoid spreading rumors and instead seek out official sources, like school districts and local law enforcement, for accurate updates.

4. Parkway Tipline and Security: Share safety concerns on the Parkway tipline, notify your principal or any other trusted adult in your school, and/or contact Parkway Security 24/7 at 314-415-SAFE (7233). 

National Association of School Psychologists:

Talking to Children about Violence

Resources from the FBI:
Due to an uptick of hoax threats in our area, the FBI St. Louis Field Office reminds the public of the consequences of a hoax threat against a school or other public place.

Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text, or email—is a federal crime. Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison or face state or local charges.

In addition to consequences for individuals who issue threats, there is also a significant societal cost. Schools and law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and responding to hoax threats diverts officers and disrupts student learning. The threats can also cause severe emotional distress to students, school personnel, and parents.

What Should I Do?

• Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats online … period.

• If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.

• If you see a threat of violence against a school posted on social media, immediately contact local law enforcement or your local FBI office. 

  • You can always submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.

  • Courage2Report Missouri is another anonymous tip option. You can report online, call 1-866-748-7047, or text “C2R” to 738477. 

• Notify authorities, but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.

• If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a cry for attention, to get revenge, or to exert control. Talk to your child about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions and explain the importance of responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.

News coverage
KMOV – Local and federal agencies see ‘alarming increase’ in threats to schools
KTVI – St. Louis-area schools, police overwhelmed by alarming rise in school threats
KWMU – FBI, police warn not to make hoax threats against schools
USAO Eastern District of Missouri – Full news conference