The Jackson County District Attorney’s office in conjunction with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Medford Police Department are aware of a “challenge” going out nationwide across the social media platform Tik Tok regarding threats of school violence to occur on December 17, 2021.
Police agencies would like to take a minute to let our community know they take threats of school violence seriously and have a zero-tolerance policy.
Threatening of school violence is a violation of Oregon Revised Statutes 166.023 Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree. This is a class A misdemeanor. A person commits the crime of disorderly conduct in the first degree if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or knowingly creating a risk thereof, the person initiates or circulates a report, knowing it to be false: (a)Concerning an alleged hazardous substance or an alleged or impending fire, explosion, catastrophe or other emergency; and (b) Stating that the hazardous substance, fire, explosion, catastrophe or other emergency is located in or upon a court facility or a public building, as those terms are defined in ORS 166.360 (Definitions for ORS 166.360 to 166.380).
Threats of school violence are not a joke. They are not an appropriate way to vent frustration and anger, nor are they a way to get an extra day off of school. Schools are a place where children, parents and school staff should have confidence they are safe. Social media platforms have become a tool used by youth to spread rumors, threats and “challenges” to large swaths of the population. This causes fear and alarm to others and creates a large response from law enforcement to ensure safety at the schools.
Threats of school violence are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. Youth who threaten school violence and are arrested for Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree will be lodged in Jackson County’s Juvenile Detention Facility. If adjudicated of the crime of Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree and found to be under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, the youth could go to an Oregon Youth Correction Facility for up to one year.
Tips regarding any threats or suspicious activity can be reported anonymously to the Safe Oregon tip line. The number is 844-472-3367 and accepts texts or calls.
Courtesy of JCSO
