Nov. 11--A threatening message on a bathroom wall prompted extra security measures at Waukegan High School's Brookside Campus on Tuesday. Though the day passed without incident at that school, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 officials said it also led to a "copycat incident" at another district school.
District officials sent a letter home to parents at the school where the first "vague" threat was found on Monday, said district spokesman Nick Alajakis.
The following morning, two students at a different district school reported finding a similar message on a bathroom wall and school officials were able to figure out which student wrote the threat using security camera footage, Alajakis said.
Alajakis said the district wants to warn students the threats are no laughing matter. And while the author of the first message hasn't identified, "there's a very good chance you're going to be caught," he said.
"We do take any threat that potentially compromises the safety of staff and students very seriously and students found to be making false threats will face consequences not just from us but potentially police," Alajakis said.
Not only do the threats worry students and staff, they also take time and resources from both the school and police, who were called in for both incidents, Alajakis said.
Alajakis said the district is not naming the school where the second threat was found to avoid identifying the student or drawing additional attention but said parents of students at that school have been notified.
The student allegedly behind the copycat threat will face disciplinary action, to be determined by the school board, and the incident has also been referred to Waukegan police, Alajakis said. According to the district's handbook, consequences from the district would vary depending on how the threatening message is classifed and the student's age, but could be as severe as a 10-day suspension and possible expulsion.
While District 60 doesn't consider the second threat credible, there may still be extra safety measures in place over the next couple days, Alajakis said.
lzumbach@tribpub.com
