Online post prompts more police at Crook County HS

An anonymous comment posted on a social media app prompted an increased police presence Tuesday at Crook County High School, and a student from another school soon came forward to admit posting it, officials said.

In a letter sent home to parents and distributed to others in the community, school administrators said they became aware Tuesday morning of the post on a social media app that said, “I wouldn’t go to school tomorrow 🙂 🙂 ;-)”

“While no direct threat was made, the safety of our students is our top priority and we take matters like this very seriously,” the letter said, so officers “were immediately notified and increased their police presence at the school.”

“Within two hours, a student from another school came forward and admitted to posting the anonymous message on the social media app,” the letter continued. “Police met with the student and are dealing with the situation accordingly.

Administrators encouraged students and parents to report any concerning information to the school’s main office at 541-416-6900 or the reporting text line at 541-362-1006.

In an initial Facebook post, before the student came forward, the school said it was working with investigators to identify the anonymous source.

“We will not tolerate any sort of implied threat toward our students, staff or community and will seek to prosecute any individuals making threats to the fullest extent of the law,” the note said.

Prineville police Capt. Dale Cummins said, “What the kid posted was very ambiguous. At that point, we decided between the school safety officer and administrators to let this be handled through the school by their policies.”