SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Police Department on Wednesday responded to a threat of violence found written on the wall of a middle school in Santa Cruz.
According to SCPD spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke, a janitor found the handwritten message on a bathroom stall at Mission Hill Middle School.
Investigators did not release the content of the message to “protect the integrity of the investigation,” Blaschke said.
Investigators conducted interviews and assessed the threat, and do not believe the threat to be credible.
The threat was isolated to Mission Hill Middle School.
SCPD is working with Santa Cruz City Schools on the investigation, and a safety plan is in place for students and staff, Blaschke said.
“The safety of students and staff at our school campuses is of paramount importance,” Blaschke said. “In an abundance of caution, the Santa Cruz Police Department will have additional officers on campus tomorrow and at other campuses throughout the day as needed.”
SCPD Chief Andrew Mills said the incident is a reminder of the importance of talking to young people.
“It is important to talk to our children about safety and the need to speak up to police or administrators if they heard or saw anything that concerns them,” Mills said.
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Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 420-5820. Tips can also be left on the anonymous tip line at 420-5995 or through the department’s mobile app.
