M-DCPS Warns: Threats to Schools Will Result in Arrests
Threats, whether real or intended as a prank, disrupt the educational environment and interfere with police officers’ ability to protect schools from real dangers; drain law enforcement resources; cost taxpayers money; and increase stress levels, anxiety and absenteeism. Hoax and prank threats of any kind targeting schools makes balancing school safety and classroom instruction difficult.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is reminding the public and students that a written threat to kill or harm is a felony, will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A federal charge could be included, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Even if federal charges are not warranted, state charges may be considered. The District will continue to exercise a zero-tolerance policy against this type of behavior.
The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (MDSPD) takes every threat seriously and works closely with other law enforcement agencies to investigate each one in order to determine the validity of the threat and identify the perpetrator. On average, it takes 24 hours, spread over a three-day work period, to investigate these threat cases from start to finish. Simpler cases can be resolved over an 8-hour period with one detective, while others can take more than 40 hours and require several detectives and the involvement of external police and criminal justice agencies. Some cases require close collaboration with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and with the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Homeland Security Bureau.
Even with all the precautions in place, we remind the community that vigilance continues to be the most effective way to prevent dangerous situations. Through the See Something, Say Something initiative, anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is encouraged to call 305-995-COPS or contact the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) via tips.fbi.gov or via phone (1-800-CALL-FBI).