Rumors have been swirling online about possible threats to other area school systems in the wake of Wednesday’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High in Winder. Authorities are addressing those concerns.
In response to questions from Now Habersham, county school police chief Murray Kogod issued the following statement on September 4: “Habersham County Schools and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office are aware of numerous social media posts that identify other school systems as future targets. Each of these reports is being investigated by law enforcement, and none of them have produced credible evidence of a viable threat to Habersham County Schools,” he said.
Kogod continued, “Habersham County Schools and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office remain vigilant and committed to the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff. To this end, the Sheriff’s Office, local city police departments, and our school police will ensure an increased law enforcement presence at all our schools in the days ahead.”
Habersham County School administrators have refused repeated requests for comment.
The Rabun County School System has proactively informed its community through social media. “We want to assure you that there have been no threats against Rabun County Schools,” one such post states.
Parents and students should expect an increased law enforcement presence on school grounds in the coming days.
“Our on-campus SROs are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our faculty and staff daily, and we have robust security systems and protocols in place,” the Rabun County School System says. “We are also coordinating with the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office to provide additional security and support on campus in the coming days. The extra presence is a precautionary measure and shouldn’t alarm you or your child.”
Hall County Schools also issued a statement saying they have “no evidence” and have not been contacted by law enforcement “regarding any related threat to any schools in the HCSD [Hall County School District].”
Heightened safety concerns
The Apalachee shooting comes less than a month after safety concerns were heightened in Habersham when a boy was found carrying a loaded handgun at a middle school football game. Kogod said at the time, there were no facts to support speculation that the boy intended to harm anyone.
After the game at Raider Stadium on August 15, a parent alerted a Habersham County School Resource Officer when he spotted a gun under the boy’s shirt in his back waistband. The SRO eventually caught up with the boy and disarmed him. Kogod says he was turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
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