Safety alert issued by North Allegheny school officials after vague online threat

MCCANDLESS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Officials with the North Allegheny School District sent an alert to parents about an online threat circulating on social media.

The notice sent to parents said district leaders were notified on Wednesday evening about the threat referencing a “CMS student.” In the threat, there was no direct mention of Carson Middle School, only the initials CMS. To clarify, the threat was not directly made against Carson Middle School.

School leaders immediately contacted McCandless Police to investigate. Police looked into the threat and determined there was no specific threat to Carson Middle School, and the “CMS” mentioned in the post was not necessarily that school or students who might attend.

Despite nothing directly connecting the threat to Carson Middle School, the district brought in additional security and put changes in place for when students arrived at school Thursday:

• All backpacks, bags, purses, etc., were searched upon entry.
• All students entered CMS through the doors by the counseling offices.
• Students were not able to enter through the doors by the cafeteria/auditorium or the main entrance doors.
• Once students entered through the doors by the counseling offices, they proceeded to the CMS main office foyer area to have their possessions searched by members of the CMS Crisis Team.
• Students were to only bring the necessary items needed for school Thursday. Parents were told that items not needed for school Thursday were to be removed from their child’s backpack and/or bag and remain at home.
• Adults were present to direct students where to go as they entered the campus.
• Once students’ possessions were searched, they proceeded to the regular waiting place until the bell rang.

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