Deputy presence to increase at La Mesa Jr. High after reported threat

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's car sits in front of of La Mesa Junior High following a threat. Cory Rubin/The Signal
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La Mesa Junior High School staff discovered a “concerning statement” written on a bathroom wall last week, less than a month after the most recent threat.

The school principal sent an email to parents Monday regarding the situation.

“The statement did mention (May 21),” said Michele Krantz in the email. “Our school will remain open tomorrow.”

Although the threat was indirect and did not mention any specific person, school officials contacted the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in an abundance of caution, according to Krantz.

Because the incident is still an open investigation, school officials are limited regarding what they can share because they need to avoid compromising the investigation.

And while the threat does not appear to be credible, deputies will be patrolling the area on Tuesday “to calm parents’ minds,” said Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station.

“While we never want to under-react to these types of situations, overreacting can also have an impact,” said Krantz. “It causes fear and anxiety in adults and students and allocates precious resources that could be used elsewhere.”

Parents and students are being encouraged to inform La Mesa staff and the local authorities if they have any information about the incident. The school’s “Text-a-Tip” hotline is also available at 661-524-5166.

“Please have a discussion with your child to convey how important it is to not make these statements in an effort to have a day off from school or as merely a ‘joke,’” added Krantz.

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