September 17, 2024 – Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office officials report that they are issuing this statement to affirm our 
unwavering commitment to combating threats against our schools. We want to emphasize that this is not an isolated issue; similar incidents are occurring not only throughout our region but across the United States. We take all threats seriously and investigate each one thoroughly to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
We want to remind the public that making false threats is a serious crime. Individuals who make such threats, even as a "joke" or prank, can face severe legal consequences including criminal charges, fines, and potential jail time, as we’ve seen twice already this year.
On January 16th, 2024, a student was arrested after making threats against Salida Middle School using social media.
On September 13th, 2024, a 14-year-old male was arrested after making threats to local schools in the Newman and Patterson areas.
We will allocate whatever resources are necessary to investigate and resolve these cases. This includes dedicating personnel, technology, and time to track down those responsible for making threats. Also, we will continue working with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office to ensure that these cases are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our goal is to send a clear message about the seriousness of these crimes.
We strongly encourage parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about the seriousness of making false threats. Key points to discuss include: 1.) The real fear and disruption caused by such threats 2.) The strain placed on law enforcement and school resources, and 3.) The severe legal and personal consequences of making false threats.
We ask the public to remain vigilant and report any threats or suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement. If you see or hear something concerning:
- Contact your local police department or call 911 in an emergency
- Provide as much detailed information as possible
- Do not spread unverified information on social media
- You may also make an anonymous report by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Or go to www.stancrimetips.org.
The safety of our community is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can ensure a secure environment for all our students and schools and contribute to addressing this nationwide issue.
Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office
Related:
Placer County Deputies Arrest 16-Year-Old Student Following Del Oro High School Threat
