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Social media threats
Social media threats
SHEBOYGAN -- Sheboygan police are urging community members to refrain from sharing unconfirmed information online. The warning comes after three reports of threats targeting Sheboygan-area schools this week.
Social media can be a powerful tool when it comes to spreading information quickly, and to a big audience. But when that information is unconfirmed, Sheboygan police say it makes their investigations that much more difficult.
"We have to make sure that something is not going to occur. Whether it be false or definitely true, so when it's false, we're
James Veeser
continually trying to get to the source of the original information," said Sheboygan Police Captain James Veeser.
In the wake of three reports of threats directed toward North High School, South High School and Urban Middle School this week, Captain James Veeser says in each case the young suspects posted their message online and followers then sent the post to their followers.
While none of the incidents turned out to be credible, meaning investigators found no evidence an act of violence would or could be carried out, Veeser says the damage has already been done.
"As people spread that around the community, it causes fear and we don't want that to happen," Veeser said.
Veeser urges both students and parents to pause before clicking the share button, and instead notify district administrators or local authorities when they come across alarming information.
"What we want to do is make sure the information is going to the appropriate people so they can start to investigate," said Veeser.
Charges are now pending against the two suspects.
Sheboygan police released the following: