Parents and district officials in Maumelle, Arkansas, voiced their disappointment and concern over threats made against local schools, prompting increased security measures.
The first threat, made over the phone by an angry and intoxicated parent, was received by authorities on Thursday. This individual was arrested and charged with first-degree terroristic threatening for claiming they would harm school staff. The Maumelle police swiftly addressed the situation, and the parent was detained.
In response, law enforcement officials increased their presence around local schools on Monday, with numerous officers stationed at Maumelle High School and other schools in the city. Parents were notified of the increased security, and many opted to keep their children at home, resulting in reduced attendance at some schools.
On Sunday, police received a tip about a social media post that was perceived as threatening. During their investigation, a young person confessed to adding a comment to the post, leading to an arrest. Although the post was ultimately deemed not to be a legitimate threat, officials took the matter seriously and emphasized the need for a heightened sense of security.
School officials, including Superintendent Charles McNulty, urged parents to discuss the seriousness of such incidents with their children. They emphasized that making terroristic threats can have severe consequences, including felony charges and drastically impacting their future. The superintendent assured that all threats are approached with seriousness and that safety protocols will continue to be enhanced as needed.
Additionally, community members expressed their gratitude to local law enforcement and expressed the need for more safety measures, such as excused absences for incidents like these, to ensure the well-being of students and staff.
