(Omaha, NE) -- Omaha-area law enforcement agencies are stepping up their presence at local schools due to a social media posts that encourage violence in schools on Friday.
Authorities across the United States raised their awareness about the TikTok challenge encouraging violence at schools on Friday, and the same goes for Omaha Police, Council Bluffs Police and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. On Thursday, OPD said that no specific threats had been made regarding Omaha area schools. “Our department is aware of recent social media posts being shared all over the country, specifically of rumors claiming there will be school shootings on December 17, 2021,” Omaha Police said in a Facebook post. “These posts started circulating today in the Omaha area which appear to be the same or similar to those previously seen across the country. There are no known threats specific to Omaha area schools at this time.”
Although there have been no credible threats, OPD encourages anyone with knowledge of specific threats or with information regarding a potential threat to call 911 or the Safe2HelpNE hotline at 531-299-SAFE. Tips can also be submitted at Safe2helpNE.org or via the Safe2Help mobile app.
On Friday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it would have an increased presence at area schools. “As a precaution, we have increased our presence at area schools. Our agency will work with other law enforcement agencies to try to identify the author of the threats. As always, we are asking the public to report any suspicious activity observed in or around our schools,” DCSO said in its release.
Council Bluffs Police also stated that they were not aware of any credible threats but would increase patrols at local schools Friday as well.