OC Sheriff gives Update on School Safety

After the arrest of two students last week for disturbing schools, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw gives an update on school safety. “I wanted to issue a statement today to update our citizens about the arrest of two juvenile students who attend schools here in Oconee County on charges of Disturbing Schools. As has been reported in various media reports, two juvenile students were arrested and charged with Disturbing Schools after an investigation by School Resource Officers employed by the Sheriff’s Office. Evidence and facts were presented to them that warranted the investigation. Even though the threats made turned out to be unsubstantiated, the students were arrested and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Due to the fact that this is an active investigation that was turned over to DJJ, the Sheriff’s Office cannot release any further information on this case, including which schools the students attended, the nature of the alleged threats and the names of the two arrested due to their ages. I want to let the parents and guardians of students who attend schools in Oconee County know that we will actively investigate and arrest anyone whose statements or actions cause a disruption of schools here in Oconee County. Disturbing schools is a crime in the state of South Carolina. Our investigators checked into a Facebook post regarding a threat to schools that later turned out to be related to a school in Ohio and we spoke to law enforcement officials in that county where the threat was centered. I know there have been threats made to other schools across the country and charges have been filed in those cases as well. At this time, there is no evidence that our schools here in Oconee County are under any known credible threat. However, I am asking our parents, guardians, faculty, teachers, administrators and students to alert law enforcement if they see or hear about any threat concerning any school in Oconee County. Today, some of our deputies were placed at schools in the county to reassure parents, guardians and students who have concern about the safety of our schools. As the chief law enforcement officer for Oconee County, the safety of our schools and those who work and learn in them is paramount and we will keep them safe to the best of our abilities.” A series of parent meetings will be held to discuss the recent events that have affected schools in Oconee County. Parents of elementary, middle and high school students are encouraged to attend with questions about school safety. The meetings will begin at 6pm and will be held in the auditorium of each high school. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Seneca High School, Thursday, March 1, at Walhalla High School and Monday, March 5, at West-Oak High School.