Sheriff: Making school threats isn't a joke

Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff has one thing to say to anyone who thinks making a shooting threat to a local school would be a fun prank.

Don't do it.

In the wake of shootings at schools in Parkland, Florida and Benton, Kentucky this year, among others, Wolff is joining law enforcement officials across the state in warning they will take any threat seriously - even if it was meant as a joke.

While there have been no credible threats locally, Wolff said they have looked into some calls from concerned residents. But every potential case is investigated, which means requiring officers to spend time on what could be a hoax instead of other areas that need police attention.

"That ties up resources that are dedicated to do other things," he said.

Threatening violence at a school, whether through a physical threat or through the use of social media, is a felony punishable by time in prison, according to a joint letter from the Illinois State's Attorneys Association, the Illinois Sheriff's Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

Even if the threat is a prank, the consequences are very serious, Wolff said.

"Absolutely, you could get jail time just for making the threat," he said.

The Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, in which 17 students and staff members were killed, has heightened public concern over gun violence in schools. Closer to home, a shooting Jan. 22 at Marshall County High School in Kentucky killed two students and injured 15 others.

Wolff said schools in Randolph County have trained for an active shooter scenario with the 4-E Active Shooter Program, administered by the sheriff's department in support with local police departments.

The 4-E (Educate, Escape, Engage, Evade) program trains people on how to react in an active shooter situation, examining a course of action based on what is happening at the time.

The four-hour program involves classroom instruction, as well as live drills involving a shooter using an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with blank ammunition.

The program has been made possible though the cooperation of the Randolph County Sheriff's office, local municipal police departments, the Randolph County Regional Office of Education and local school districts.

"I absolutely believe all the schools in Randolph County are well trained and have been for some time," Wolff said. "We're not playing catch-up."

Wolff added the 4-E program is available for local businesses and organizations, and those interested in going through training should contact the Sheriff's Department.