Hesperia schools in ‘soft lockdown’ due to Newaygo school threat.

Hesperia schools in ‘soft lockdown’ due to Newaygo school threat.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HESPERIA — In a wave of recent threats to schools across Michigan following the recent deadly shooting at Oxford High School, Hesperia Community Schools is another local school dealing with security threats.

“Due to a situation at Newaygo Public Schools, all of the school districts in Newaygo County have been asked to go into secure/soft lockdown mode as a precaution,” according to a statement from the school district Wednesday, Dec. 8.

“This means that nobody will be allowed in or out of the buildings, no recess, etc. We have been in contact with all of the schools and will communicate when the situation is resolved and we have accurate information. We want to be sure students and staff are safe. Thank you for your understanding.”

The soft lockdown was lifted shortly before noon Wednesday and classes resumed as normal.

Law enforcement officials are addressing a threat made against Newaygo High School. Officials say they’ve identified the threat, which was posted on social media by a student, and there is no active danger to the school or community.

The threat comes on the heels of a bomb threat made at Newaygo High School Monday, Dec. 6.

Both Shelby and Hart schools went into ”soft lockdowns” after receiving threats Monday.

Several districts on the east side of the state canceled classes after receiving “copycat” threats in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Oakland County. West Michigan schools reported receiving threats, prompting officials to cancel classes Monday. 

The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a freshman student at Oakridge High School will be criminally charged in connection to a threat made against Oakridge Public Schools. The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement Tuesday that a Mona Shores student created a social media account and sent a threatening post because he didn’t want to go to school. The student also faces disciplinary action in school.

“Through the the task force, it appears that the similar threats distributed in other Muskegon County schools were edited posts from the original threat,” states the press release. “Task force investigators are continuing to investigate to find the source of those edits. On top of criminal charges, this suspect will be facing school discipline.”

Hart went into lockdown Thursday, Dec. 2, following a threat that was later determined to be targeted at another Hart Middle School located on the east side of state.

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