Wed Sep 18 15:53:00 UTC 2024: ## Mercer County Schools on High Alert After Out-of-State Threats
**PRINCETON, WV** – Mercer County Schools are on heightened alert following a series of unsubstantiated threats made via social media, originating from out-of-state IP addresses. School Superintendent Edward Toman and Safety Coordinator Melissa Clemons assured the community that law enforcement, including the West Virginia State Police, Capitol Police, and Homeland Security, are actively investigating these incidents.
“All schools remain vigilant with the support of law enforcement to ensure the safety of students and staff,” the school system stated. They urged students to immediately report any threat received during school hours to their teacher or school administrator. After school hours, families are encouraged to contact law enforcement or utilize the See Say app.
The school system also emphasized the importance of reporting threats directly to authorities instead of sharing them on social media, which can hinder investigations. “When these threats are shared among students, employees, and families via social media instead of being reported to school officials or law enforcement, it hinders the investigation process,” the statement read.
Additional safety measures have been implemented at PikeView High School and PikeView Middle School following ongoing investigations into threats circulating on social media over the past few weeks. The school system urged parents and guardians to monitor their child’s social media accounts and discuss the seriousness of online threats. They also warned students that severe disciplinary action will be taken against those found to be making threats.
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