PITTSBURGH — Several Pittsburgh-area school districts and local law enforcement agencies are warning parents about a rumored altercation this weekend at the Mall at Robinson.
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Officials from Moon Area, West Allegheny and Montour school districts were recently made aware of rumors circulating about the possibility of middle school students gathering at the mall this weekend.
Tina Vojtko, from the Moon Area School District, said letters were sent home to parents Thursday night.“Anything like this has to be taken seriously,” Vojtko told Channel 11’s Renee Kaminski.
She went on to say that they notified police and parents because, "These are conversations that kids are having at the cafeteria table but not at the dinner table."
Below is the entire letter sent to parents from the Moon Area School District:
"Good evening.
"School officials at Moon Area, West Allegheny and Montour school districts have been made aware of rumors circulating regarding the possibility of middle school students gathering at The Mall at Robinson this weekend for an altercation.
"While this is well beyond the school district's boundaries, we have an obligation to proactively work with our families in the best interests of our students.
"I encourage families to talk with their teens and tweens about responsible decision making and possible consequences for negative actions.
"The school districts have been in communication with mall officials as well as law enforcement officials regarding the recent rumors.
"As a community, we must work together to keep our students, schools and greater community safe.
"Curt Baker
"Superintendent of Schools, Moon Area School District"
Robinson Mall security wouldn't talk specifics but said, "The Mall at Robinson's top priority is to ensure a pleasant and safe shopping experience for all its guests."
According to Channel 11's partners at TribLIVE, the rumors also concerned the Settlers Ridge shopping center in Robinson.
Robinson police told TribLIVE that four officers will be working at the shopping center this weekend. Typically, there is only one off-duty officer at Settlers Ridge on Friday and Saturday nights.
Authorities aren't sure what the motivation was for the planned altercation, Robinson police Lt. Ed Krall told TribLIVE.
"I'm not sure if they're trying to create some kind of YouTube incident or what," he said.
WPXI
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