Local law enforcement continues to monitor threats

Superintendents from all four school corporations sent out a joint letter to parents of their respective districts. The letter states that on Wednesday, they were all informed of a "potential threat to the safety" of schools across Putnam County. 

While there was no credible threat specifically towards schools in Putnam County, that didn't stop law enforcement officials from the Greencastle Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Police from showing up to area schools. 

On Wednesday night, superintendents from all four school corporations sent out a joint letter to parents of their respective districts. 

The letter states that on Wednesday, they were all informed of a "potential threat to the safety" of schools across Putnam County. 

"The threat, though non specific and not directed at any individual school, did reference all schools within the county. It is important to note that this threat may be part of a growing trend on social media. However, we take any and all threats seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and well being of your children. School administrators are working closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and identify the source of this treat," the letter states. 

Greencastle Police assistant chief Ed Wilson said the threats appear to be a part of something that is going on all over Indiana, as well as other states. 

"It appears that someone makes a vague post and then re-posts it. It then gets viewed and reposted and snowballs from there. The latest is someone that sends a message that they saw that a certain school has been targeted and that gets reposted. It is kind of like the old telephone game, and mass panic then ensues as everyone continues to post," Wilson told The Putnam County Post. 

Wilson was one of several Greencastle Police officers patrolling the hallways Thursday, and he had a message for students, faculty and staff. 

"My main message is to fact check and contact authorities before reposting these items. It becomes increasingly harder to locate the source when it has been shared hundreds of times. A lot of this could have been avoided if it was stopped at the source, but now more time and attention has to be devoted to sifting through the pile of postings," Wilson said. 

Putnam County Sheriff Jarrod Baugh echoed those sentiments. 

"Public safety remains our primary focus and issues like this will continue to be handled as a priority by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. If you see something, say something. That is what happened here and it was investigated without hesitation by several area agencies. It is our hope that it remains a single issue and will continue to be reviewed to keep it from occurring again," Baugh said. 

As of Thursday morning, there had not been any arrests or any credible threats, according to Baugh.