IDAHO CITY, Idaho — The recent uptick in school threats on social media platforms in the Treasure Valley has forced local law enforcement to conduct quick investigations and decisive actions.
On Friday, Corporal David Gomez of Boise County Sheriff’s Office spoke with KTVB about behind the scenes investigations that stem from social media threats made to schools or students. Comments that children may see as a harmless prank can escalate into serious and permanent consequences.
Gomez is a social media expert and school resource officer, but most well-known for his online presence, “Officer Gomez." Looking into these threats has become more of a common occurrence, like situations seen in recent weeks.
Investigations can be done in a matter of hours after a threat has been made online.
Young social media users might think their online posts are private, even from anonymous accounts. However, the threats spread quickly and are tracked down almost immediately.
IP addresses can be tracked rather quickly, and house searches are conducted as soon as possible through search and seizure warrants obtained.
Overnight, schools can be shut down for the following day, and suspects of any age can be taken into custody and charged.
“We are definitely seeing an uptick in social media threats, because it's a way to get notoriety. It's a way to get viral. It's a way to get attention. And when kids have a cell phone in their hands all the time, they start to be groomed and get addicted to having attention,” Gomez told KTVB Friday.
Every threat seen, heard, and found out is taken as a serious investigation.
Gomez emphasized the importance of children understanding the severity of any threat made.
He urges all parents to communicate better and more often with their children because, “any child is susceptible to making threats. A lot of parents will look at their kid and think ‘my kid would never make a threat.’ But what you don't understand is, if they're spending so much time on social media every day, they might get a dare from somebody that they like to make a social media threat. They might just say, 'Hey, I don't want to go to school tomorrow,' so they'll make a social media threat."
One threat can potentially put school administrations, students, parents, and law enforcement on high alert nationwide. Often, media outlets are also notified right away.
Young internet users may view or use social media as a false reality online, but the consequences can be life changing and detrimental.
“You make a threat and the police come to your house, it's going to change your future almost forever. And I know some very young students who are never allowed to go to school again,” said Gomez.
Gomez is vocal about his opinion for children to spend less time online. But he asks parents to be the ones to set an example and enforce guidelines about it.
He is in favor of some social media restrictions like West Ada School District’s cellphone policy.
The Boise School Board is also acting by having a security procedures meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.
The public is welcome to submit written testimony or questions before the meeting at this Google Form. This would help the Boise School Board have answers at the meeting about ensuring safety for their children.
Boise School District will live-stream the meeting on their YouTube Channel for those who can’t attend the meeting in person.