Students met with extra security at Washington Co. schools after threats

Extra security was in place at three Washington County schools Monday after threats to students’ safety.

A Snapchat conversation sparked a police presence at Canon-MacMillan schools. The district posted on Facebook that several middle school students were involved in the conversation, which brought up the idea that it wouldn't be safe to go to school Monday.

Police and district leaders across our area take these threats very seriously, and it takes a lot of manpower to investigate them and make sure the students are safe.

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“Insanity, fear, paranoia,” said parent Jamie Adams.

That sums up the thoughts of many parents across our area who saw threats on social media directed at their child's school.

Adams made the decision to send his first-grader to school.

In Washington County, Beth Center, Bentworth and Canon-MacMillan all had an increased police presence.

“In the last 24 to 48 hours, (there have been) potentially two threats -- one not credible, one is being investigated,” said Chief Al Coghill, of the Canonsburg Police Department.

Coghill said his officers and surrounding departments worked through the night doing interviews to try and find out who posted the threats on social media -- a labor-intensive process.

The district held an assembly for students to discuss what to do if a threat ever becomes a reality.

Cox Media Group