(Valparaiso, IN) - Police in Valparaiso have arrested six juveniles for causing a bit of a panic last week by threatening an area school.

 

Last Thursday, September 12, police investigated a possible threat of violence at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Initially deeming the threats to be not credible, authorities later placed some students on lockdown in locker rooms when threats resurfaced at the end of the school day.

 

According to a statement by Valparaiso police, the threats included a list of particular individuals who may be harmed.

 

Police then identified and detained six juveniles. They were taken to the Porter County Juvenile Detention Center and have been charged for their roles in creating and/or publicly sharing threatening information.

 

Valparaiso is one of many area police agencies taking a zero-tolerance stance on threats to schools. “The Valparaiso Police Department works in close partnership with Valparaiso Community Schools and takes any threat seriously," said Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre. "We are dedicated to the safety of our children at all times, allowing for a safe and secure learning environment.”

 

Earlier this week, two juveniles in Lake County were also arrested for making threats against schools. And on Wednesday in Elkhart County, an 18-year-old was taken into custody by a SWAT team for making threats against Goshen High School.