TikTok Challenge On Radar Of Sarasota County Schools: District

Sarasota FL

17 December, 2021

10:45 AM

Description

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County school officials, the Sarasota County Schools Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies is aware of a generic social media threat made against schools nationwide, Kelsey Whealy, a media relations specialist for the district, said. While the district isn't immediately ramping up security at Sarasota County schools, it's monitoring the potential for specific local threats and violence, she said. "We always have a police presence on all of our school campuses and work with local law enforcement agencies to ensure our schools and communities stay safe," Whealy said. "The teams diligently investigate and have conversations with students (and) staff to learn more about potential threats and concerns. If found to be necessary at any point in time, we would increase officers on campuses." These nationwide threats come in the wake of a deadly school shooting in Michigan. A 15-year-old student at Oxford High School killed four students and injured seven other people, including one teacher, on Nov. 30. Now, law enforcement agencies and school districts across the country are also monitoring a TikTok challenge that's encouraging students to threaten school violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17. According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform. In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok. In Sarasota County, 15-year-old was charged with a felony after making a Snapchat threat against Sarasota High School while chatting with friends on Dec. 3. Related Stories: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High AlertStudent Made Snapchat Threat Against Sarasota High School: SCSOTeen Threatens School Shooting In YouTube Comment: Sheriff15-Year-Old Made Online Threat Against Miami High School: PoliceAhead Of TikTok Challenge, Manatee County School Threats SurgeMiami-Dade Schools Aware Of TikTok Challenge, Threats Surge