Due to a social media threat circulating around schools in the Southland, Rich Township High School District 227 and Park Forest-Chicago Heights District 163 went on soft lockdown Thursday, limiting movement and entrance within schools.
The lockdown at District 227 was lifted and students attended classes as usual on Friday after police investigated the threats and found no immediate threat, according to a letter sent to students’ families Thursday afternoon. District 163 officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“Please remind your students that making threats, whether credible or copycat, is an extremely serious action with significant consequences,” the Rich Township High School district said in the letter. “Everyone needs to understand the ramifications of such behavior, and we ask for your partnership in discussing this with your children.”
During the soft lockdown, classes continued as scheduled, but exterior doors were locked and movement throughout the buildings were limited. Matteson, Park Forest, Richton Park and Olympia Fields police departments as well as the Cook County sheriff’s office worked together to investigate the “various” threats, the letter stated.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
