Police Cars at BCC

[Anonymous]

DD just texted to tell us that a number of police cars pulled up outside of BCC. Anyone know what’s going on?

[Anonymous]

Uh oh. Here we go again.

[Anonymous]

Well, that's not good.

[Anonymous]

Threat came in to shoot up the school. No active shooting though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Threat came in to shoot up the school. No active shooting though.

Oooph.

[Anonymous]

What did the school say to the parents, students, and staff about the threat? Or is it one of those communicAtions pending approval from Central Office before released into the wild?

[Anonymous]

Text of principal's note to parents. Sounds like it might have been scary but also that it was a bogus threat. I can't fault the school or the police for taking any threat seriously.

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,
I am writing to share information regarding a serious incident involving B-CC. Earlier today, our partners with the Montgomery County Police Department brought us information related to a threat communicated on the Suicide Hotline. The anonymous threat was from a person communicating that they are going to enter the building and cause self harm with a weapon. School staff, MCPS Safety and Security staff, and MCPD officers investigated the incident and determined the threat was not credible. There was heavy police presence when the initial threat came through. Our MCPD CEO remained on campus for the remainder of the day.
We are committed to providing a safe school environment for all our students and staff. This incident has two important lessons that should be addressed with students. First, online threats are becoming increasingly common and they are dangerous and disruptive to school operations. Furthermore, if your student needs emotional or mental support, our counseling department has an open door policy and students can see them as they need. We also have a social worker, Ms. Swissman, at school who is available for all students to access at any point. I encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their children about the problems and dangers of spreading online threats and rumors and it is important to know that this kind of behavior could be criminal and subject to prosecution by law enforcement. Furthermore, I am asking that you let your student know that we have a team of social-emotional support for our students.
As a reminder, if you see or hear something, please say something. Please do not hesitate to share anything you believe may be a concern to our school community or students. Information related to the ANONYMOUS MD Safe Schools Tip Line can be found on the back of every student ID card.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 240-740-0400.
Sincerely,
Shelton Mooney, Ed.D.
Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Text of principal's note to parents. Sounds like it might have been scary but also that it was a bogus threat. I can't fault the school or the police for taking any threat seriously.

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,
I am writing to share information regarding a serious incident involving B-CC. Earlier today, our partners with the Montgomery County Police Department brought us information related to a threat communicated on the Suicide Hotline. The anonymous threat was from a person communicating that they are going to enter the building and cause self harm with a weapon. School staff, MCPS Safety and Security staff, and MCPD officers investigated the incident and determined the threat was not credible. There was heavy police presence when the initial threat came through. Our MCPD CEO remained on campus for the remainder of the day.
We are committed to providing a safe school environment for all our students and staff. This incident has two important lessons that should be addressed with students. First, online threats are becoming increasingly common and they are dangerous and disruptive to school operations. Furthermore, if your student needs emotional or mental support, our counseling department has an open door policy and students can see them as they need. We also have a social worker, Ms. Swissman, at school who is available for all students to access at any point. I encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their children about the problems and dangers of spreading online threats and rumors and it is important to know that this kind of behavior could be criminal and subject to prosecution by law enforcement. Furthermore, I am asking that you let your student know that we have a team of social-emotional support for our students.
As a reminder, if you see or hear something, please say something. Please do not hesitate to share anything you believe may be a concern to our school community or students. Information related to the ANONYMOUS MD Safe Schools Tip Line can be found on the back of every student ID card.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 240-740-0400.
Sincerely,
Shelton Mooney, Ed.D.
Principal

So a child called the suicide hotline and the principal says that could get you arrested don’t do it?

Way to discourage students from calling the suicide hotline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Text of principal's note to parents. Sounds like it might have been scary but also that it was a bogus threat. I can't fault the school or the police for taking any threat seriously.

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,
I am writing to share information regarding a serious incident involving B-CC. Earlier today, our partners with the Montgomery County Police Department brought us information related to a threat communicated on the Suicide Hotline. The anonymous threat was from a person communicating that they are going to enter the building and cause self harm with a weapon. School staff, MCPS Safety and Security staff, and MCPD officers investigated the incident and determined the threat was not credible. There was heavy police presence when the initial threat came through. Our MCPD CEO remained on campus for the remainder of the day.
We are committed to providing a safe school environment for all our students and staff. This incident has two important lessons that should be addressed with students. First, online threats are becoming increasingly common and they are dangerous and disruptive to school operations. Furthermore, if your student needs emotional or mental support, our counseling department has an open door policy and students can see them as they need. We also have a social worker, Ms. Swissman, at school who is available for all students to access at any point. I encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their children about the problems and dangers of spreading online threats and rumors and it is important to know that this kind of behavior could be criminal and subject to prosecution by law enforcement. Furthermore, I am asking that you let your student know that we have a team of social-emotional support for our students.
As a reminder, if you see or hear something, please say something. Please do not hesitate to share anything you believe may be a concern to our school community or students. Information related to the ANONYMOUS MD Safe Schools Tip Line can be found on the back of every student ID card.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 240-740-0400.
Sincerely,
Shelton Mooney, Ed.D.
Principal

So a child called the suicide hotline and the principal says that could get you arrested don’t do it?

Way to discourage students from calling the suicide hotline.

Way to miss the point. They obviously have reason to believe it was a bogus threat. You can be criminally prosecuted for that. D@mn straight you should warn your kids not to make false threats about committing mass violence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Text of principal's note to parents. Sounds like it might have been scary but also that it was a bogus threat. I can't fault the school or the police for taking any threat seriously.

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,
I am writing to share information regarding a serious incident involving B-CC. Earlier today, our partners with the Montgomery County Police Department brought us information related to a threat communicated on the Suicide Hotline. The anonymous threat was from a person communicating that they are going to enter the building and cause self harm with a weapon. School staff, MCPS Safety and Security staff, and MCPD officers investigated the incident and determined the threat was not credible. There was heavy police presence when the initial threat came through. Our MCPD CEO remained on campus for the remainder of the day.
We are committed to providing a safe school environment for all our students and staff. This incident has two important lessons that should be addressed with students. First, online threats are becoming increasingly common and they are dangerous and disruptive to school operations. Furthermore, if your student needs emotional or mental support, our counseling department has an open door policy and students can see them as they need. We also have a social worker, Ms. Swissman, at school who is available for all students to access at any point. I encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their children about the problems and dangers of spreading online threats and rumors and it is important to know that this kind of behavior could be criminal and subject to prosecution by law enforcement. Furthermore, I am asking that you let your student know that we have a team of social-emotional support for our students.
As a reminder, if you see or hear something, please say something. Please do not hesitate to share anything you believe may be a concern to our school community or students. Information related to the ANONYMOUS MD Safe Schools Tip Line can be found on the back of every student ID card.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 240-740-0400.
Sincerely,
Shelton Mooney, Ed.D.
Principal

So a child called the suicide hotline and the principal says that could get you arrested don’t do it?

Way to discourage students from calling the suicide hotline.

No, I think it's a balanced message. Call if you need the help, don't if you want to prank the school.

BCC has had a lot of behavioral problems this year, and last year. The Principal is right to raise the specter of criminal prosecution. The rest of the staff and students deserve to work in peace. We're so done with all of this!!!

[Anonymous]

They called the suicide hotline and threatened suicide. That’s why it was created.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They called the suicide hotline and threatened suicide. That’s why it was created.

And police came and the student confessed it was a prank call.

We have way too many disruptions at BCC. I agree with the Principal. He does mention that anyone in need of help can call the help line on their ID card. Misuse of the system can get you in trouble - this obviously needs to be pointed out, given what happened today!

Stop finding fault where there is none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They called the suicide hotline and threatened suicide. That’s why it was created.

And police came and the student confessed it was a prank call.

We have way too many disruptions at BCC. I agree with the Principal. He does mention that anyone in need of help can call the help line on their ID card. Misuse of the system can get you in trouble - this obviously needs to be pointed out, given what happened today!

Stop finding fault where there is none.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They called the suicide hotline and threatened suicide. That’s why it was created.

And police came and the student confessed it was a prank call.

We have way too many disruptions at BCC. I agree with the Principal. He does mention that anyone in need of help can call the help line on their ID card. Misuse of the system can get you in trouble - this obviously needs to be pointed out, given what happened today!

Stop finding fault where there is none.

The principal’s letter says it was an anonymous call. If they interviewed a student and they confessed then I hope they were offered a lawyer and that should have been stated rather than it was an anonymous call. Regardless your should still not deter students from calling the suicide hotline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They called the suicide hotline and threatened suicide. That’s why it was created.

And police came and the student confessed it was a prank call.

We have way too many disruptions at BCC. I agree with the Principal. He does mention that anyone in need of help can call the help line on their ID card. Misuse of the system can get you in trouble - this obviously needs to be pointed out, given what happened today!

Stop finding fault where there is none.

The principal’s letter says it was an anonymous call. If they interviewed a student and they confessed then I hope they were offered a lawyer and that should have been stated rather than it was an anonymous call. Regardless your should still not deter students from calling the suicide hotline.

Student confidentiality protocol in MCPS rules that out: parents have been kept in the dark about rapes and serious assault and battery on school property before, OK? You will not know the details of this incident.

However police in MoCo can, and do, have a way to identify prank calls to determine if they're valid threats or not. Police has shown up to teen's homes to ask questions of prank callers (there are many, unfortunately), and yes, the kids are allowed lawyers. As soon as a threat is made, it becomes a POLICE MATTER. This is why the Principal is correct to warn would-be prank callers what they're up against. MCPS is usually way too lenient towards students who break school rules, but some things, like this threat of violence with a weapon at school, go straight to police. AS THEY SHOULD! You want a mass shooting on your hand, perpetrated by someone who wants suicide by cop?

At this point you're a moron or just being contrary for the sake of it.