On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 11:00AM, officials at Berwick High School notified the Berwick Police Department of threats being circulated around campus of someone threatening to harm the students. Berwick Police officers and detectives, along with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers, responded to the school.
Through investigation, officers learned that a student told several other students that she saw a post on social media that a person was going to cause violence at the school. However, she admitted to investigators that she made this up and she did not see any of this information on social media.
At the conclusion of the investigation, officers determined that there were no credible threats towards the school nor it’s students. The juvenile, a 16-year-old female, was arrested on the charge of Criminal Mischief and later released to her parents pending juvenile court proceedings.
Out of an abundance of caution, there will be a larger-than-normal police presence at the Berwick High School throughout the day.
In a statement, the Berwick Police Department said, “As a reminder, the Berwick Police Department takes all threats and all rumors regarding the safety of our schools very seriously. All matters will be thoroughly investigated and criminal charges will be filed, when applicable. Parents are urged to have discussions with their children regarding the effects and consequences of spreading false information. The Berwick Police Department would like to thank the Berwick High School, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Mary Parish School Board for their assistance with this matter.”
St. Mary School Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell has released the following statement regarding Wednesday’s incident.
“The administration of Berwick High School, Berwick Police, and School Resource Officers actively investigated concerns of social media postings of a threatening nature against the school overnight. As per safety protocols, the school was ordered on a cautionary status throughout the investigation that resulted in a finding that the posts were uncorroborated.
Officials from the school and law enforcement were able to decipher through various reports that one student had indeed purposefully provided inaccurate information to create unnecessary anxiety among the student body. Understandably, any comment, social media interaction, or other means of communication wherein a threat against students, staff, or a school is made will prompt a full-scale investigation and accountability of anyone involved.
Safeguarding the educational setting is paramount and any acts to disrupt or impede a school campus will result in enforcement of the laws and regulations associated with such acts. Anyone with information regarding breaches to the safety and security of a school is asked to immediately report such information and act responsibly in assisting personnel throughout the investigation and resolution process.”