SAFE SCHOOLS Tip Line-

 

Sheriff Crisafulli on SCHOOL SAFETY-

 

Worcester County,

I have spoken with many parents who have great concerns following today’s school safety alert. I want to ensure you that our children will always be the number one priority of both my administration and our school system officials. Their safety comes first, and it always has! 

Our recent investigations of social media threats found them to be non-credible. With that said, my team of School Resource Deputies (SRDs) will continue to investigate each threat that is brought to our attention.  We will act swiftly on these reported threats and handle them with the seriousness they deserve to ensure the safety of our students, school personnel and visitors.

To help us more efficiently address reports of this nature, here are a few tips to remember: 

 

DURING THE SCHOOL DAY: 

-  If your child shows you a screenshot or a post with a school-related threat, please immediately call 410-632–1112. If the threat was originated or seen at school, please ask to speak to the School Resource Division Supervisor. If the threat is deemed credible, you will receive further instructions from your child’s school. 

-  If your child is in school and sees a post or a screenshot of a concerning nature, they can immediately take it to the assigned School Resource Deputy or School Administrator for immediate action. 

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS:

-  If your child shows you a screenshot of a post or school related threat, please immediately call 410-632-1112, and ask to speak to a Deputy. Relay all the information and concerns to that Deputy. They will take the appropriate action and contact the Supervisor of the School Resource Division to ensure that the investigation is conducted properly. If the threat is deemed credible, you will receive information from your child’s school with further instructions. 

ANONYMOUS REPORTING OPTIONS:

If you see something, say (and report) something! If your child hears or becomes aware of a threat against the school, they or a parent can anonymously report it to us two ways:

-  Use the Safe School TIPS section of our app. To download the Worcester Sheriff mobile app, please visit:

Worcester County Sheriff's Office (MD) App Store Links (myocv.com)

-  Use the Maryland Safe Schools Tipline by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE or online at www.SafeSchoolsMD.org .

Timing is critical, so we strongly encourage to report any concerns immediately upon hearing of a threat. We continue to work in unison with our school system and allied partners to ensure that we have the safest schools as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns on anything in this correspondence, please call the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1112.

Thank you, Worcester County!

Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli

UPDATE- School Safety.

 9/17/24

Worcester County Public Schools MD

In follow up to our previous School Safety message, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office has notified WCPS that the previously referenced nationwide social media threat has been deemed non-credible. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families throughout this matter, and we thank the Worcester County Sheriff's Office for their continued partnership.

(Previous)

Worcester County Public Schools and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office are aware of a nationwide social media threat that has been circulating. The Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of the post circulating within our community since yesterday evening. WCPS wants to make all of our families aware that this threat is being investigated by law enforcement, and out of an abundance of caution, an increased presence of law enforcement will be at our schools today.  Schools are operating as normal today.  We thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for their continued partnership on this matter.

 

Statement: Disturbance not related to Thursday night on-court contest in Snow Hill.

 

Crisfield High School student arrested for threat of mass violence

 (WMDT)

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Department of Juvenile Justice hold the suspect, however, that request was denied. The suspect was subsequently released back into the custody of a parent.

(View news story:)

Crisfield High School student arrested for threat of mass violence - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Joint Statement issued on school safety.

 

(View statement:)

Joint Statement from Worcester County Law Enforcement and the Board of Education | WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (worcesterk12.org)

(Updated) Worcester Board of Ed says schools are safe

(WBOC) 

(View news story:)

Worcester Law Enforcement Still Frustrated With School Safety Communication | Latest News | wboc.com

(Maryland Coast Press:)

NEWARK– Education officials maintain that schools are safe and cite a “gross failure” in communication as the reason for the current discord between the school system and local law enforcement.

(View news story:)

10/25/2023 | Education Officials Respond To School Safety Concerns; Law Enforcement Expresses Disappointment | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

Worcester Board of Ed taken to task by law enforcement

 

(WMDT)

"County law enforcement says the Board excuses student misconduct without disciplinary action; adding, precautionary measures are not taken, and school resource deputies and parents are not notified about crime in schools."

(View news story:)

Worcester Co. law enforcement: School officials "denying that school safety issues exist" - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Worcester Sheriff's app new feature benefits school safety

 

(WMDT)

"The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office app has a new feature that will help better protect students and staff at the click of a button."

(View news story:)

Worcester County Sheriff's Office highlights new feature for school safety tips - 47abc (wmdt.com)

(UPDATED)Safety concerns for Worcester County schools

10/10/23

(WMDT)

(View news story:)

https://www.wmdt.com/2023/10/worcester-co-chief-law-enforcement-calling-for-stronger-communication-with-wcps/

(WBOC)

(View news story:)

An Attempt to Improve Communication and Keep Worcester County Schools Safe | Latest News | wboc.com

10/6/23

 

(Maryland Coast Dispatch)

BERLIN – Top law enforcement officials met with the Worcester County Board of Education in closed session this week after expressing school safety concerns.

(View news article:)

10/05/2023 | Worcester Law Enforcement Officials Highlight School Safety Concerns; Letter Alleges 'Repeated, And At Times Intentional Violations Of Maryland State Law' In Failing To Notify Police Of Crimes Inside Schools | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

Safety For Our Local Schools

(From WBOC)

Worcester County School Safety

By Caroline Coles

NEWARK, Md--School starts in just a matter of weeks and Worcester County School officials are making safety their top priority. 

Students will notice new emergency response shields, the shields are designed to protect faculty and students in school shootings. 

"One local business here in Worcester County donated at least 2 shields for every school," says Superintendent Taylor. 

Worcester School officials say they're also hoping to add more mental health counselors this school year. 

"We have found over the years we can be more proactive, we have mental health issues in the community and we think, if we can offer services to those individuals, it will help us increase safety in our schools," says Superintendent Taylor. 

Parent and teacher, Silvyia Gallow says she wants the county to get rid of outside portable classrooms. 

"I really don't feel like they protect children, there isn't a whole lot protecting them out there," says Gallow. 

Superintendent Taylor says because of the amount of students at some schools, portable classrooms are necessary  and monitored on a regular basis. 

Worcester School Safety Conference Held

(From WBOC)

View Story:
http://www.wboc.com/clip/14194934/worcester-county-hosts-school-safety-conference

Worcester County Schools Increase Safety Measures

(From WBOC)

http://www.wboc.com/story/37584343/worcester-county-states-attorney-deems-social-media-threats-inaccurate

(From WBOC)

http://www.wboc.com/story/37578744/worcester-county-schools-increases-safety-measures