The Houston Independent School District (HISD), Texas’ largest, reported that recent campus threats have resulted in the arrests of seven students, many facing felony charges.
The FBI’s Houston field office also revealed that over 30 threats have been reported to them since the start of the school year, marking a busy beginning to the fall semester as authorities continuously investigate threats against schools.
“Hoax threats are a crime. They are not a joke, and they can have serious consequences,” HISD stated, noting that each threat is assigned to a criminal investigator. The district urged parents and caregivers to speak to their children about the dangers of engaging in such behavior.
HISD was one of several districts dealing with on-campus incidents last Wednesday, including a stabbing at Sterling High School and a bomb threat at Bellaire High School.
According to the FBI, the number of reported threats in the region this year has surpassed any monthly total over the past three years. The agency advised students to screenshot any threatening emails or social media posts and immediately alert law enforcement, a school administrator, or another adult, instead of sharing them on social media.
In a recent interview with Eyewitness News, Michael Matranga, a school security consultant and former U.S. Secret Service employee, discussed how schools can address these incidents. He emphasized the importance of reducing violence and grievances on campus to decrease the likelihood of more serious incidents, such as active shootings.
Matranga also advocated for schools to invest in mental health professionals, training, and comprehensive behavioral assessment plans. He argued that not every student involved in these incidents should be jailed, as doing so could cause further harm.
“I think it is counterproductive. It could lead to more trauma for the child and doesn’t serve as a preventative measure,” Matranga said.
