Dark clouds hang over Arizona schools as growing number of threats spreads gloom

Phoenix, Arizona: Something's rotten in Arizona and it's affecting the state's schools. Over the last few weeks schools across the state have been facing threats, resulting in arrests, frightened parents and students and law enforcement on hugh alert. These threats, boosted by social media have forced school closures and evacuations.

The most recent case has been of  a teenage boy who made making threats against 12 Valley schools on September 12. While nothing came of the threats, the boy was arrested and questioned.

He reportedly admitted to being involved and said the threat was "made after a dare by a peer group". He has been booked into the Juvenile Community Corrections on multiple felonies, including terrorist threats and computer tampering. Schools named in the investigation include Camelback High School, Cesar Chavez High School, Arcadia High School, and several others.

Sergeant Rob Shear of the Phoenix Police Department said these threats are being treated with "zero tolerance", be they serious or pranks.

Mesa Public Schools have also been affected, with the district reporting threats to 17 schools over the past two weeks. Superintendent Andy Forli confirmed that four students have been charged in connection with these threats, with disciplinary action taken at schools like Bush Elementary and Mountain View High School.

"We investigate every threat that comes in and investigate it thoroughly. We have our SROs that are tied in to a lot of the students, and so we don’t take any of that stuff lightly because one mistake can lead to tragedy, and we don’t want that," Mesa Police Det. Richard Encinas said.

Starting September 23, weapons detection systems will be in place at Stapley Junior High, with all other Mesa Public Schools junior highs to follow. 

Fourteen teens are currently facing misdemeanor and some felony charges for threats made toward schools in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Buckeye and Prescott Valley. 

Under Arizona law, both students and their parents can be held liable for any costs incurred by the investigation, making the consequences of such threats both legally and financially severe.