Three Rivers, Jenison school districts close over threats

THREE RIVERS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two West Michigan school districts have canceled classes and activities to investigate threats posted on social media.

Three Rivers Community Schools will be closed for a second day in a row Friday after another threat was posted on social media app Snapchat, according to the district.

“We apologize for the late notice; however, it is important all details are investigated prior to canceling school,” wrote TRCS in a Facebook post . “Three Rivers Community Schools takes this information seriously, and the safety of our school community is important.”

TRCS was also closed Thursday for a social media threat. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office said Three Rivers police officers identified a juvenile suspect who lives outside the city and the juvenile’s mother brought him in to the sheriff’s office. Investigators said the case would be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for a decision on what, if any, charges were appropriate.

Jenison Public Schools has also canceled classes and all activities Friday after “photos circulating on Snapchat that have raised concerns,” the district wrote in an email to families. Michigan State Police and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department are helping to investigate, according to JPS. Ottawa County dispatch confirmed the sheriff’s office is investigating.

“The Snaps have also circulated widely without ‘Jenison’ on them and appear to be a copy/screenshot with Jenison added,” explained the district.

Saying safety is always its highest priority, Jenison wrote.

“Threats of this nature are always totally unacceptable. Jenison Public Schools will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and will be prosecuting those involved to the fullest extent of the law,” wrote JPS.

The district asked anyone with information to identify people involved in the threats to report it to communications@jpsonline.org .

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