Lawrence’s police chief and public school leader have created a video message urging students to “report, not repost” rumors and threats regarding school violence.

Chief Rich Lockhart and interim Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift recorded an approximately two-minute video message that will be shown to all middle and high school students in the Lawrence school district, as well as to parents. In thee video Swift mentions concern about a “higher number of school threats than usual,” which Lockhart says is typical toward the beginning of a school year.

Threats and spreading rumors about threats will not be tolerated and jokes can land you in jail, the pair warn in the video, which is posted to both organizations’ social media platforms.

“You can be charged with a felony, and a felony means you can go to jail,” Lockhart says in the video, and Swift warns that suspension and expulsion from school could also occur.

“We’re asking you to report, not repost,” Lockhart says, urging students to tell an adult, such as a school resource officer, a teacher, a parent, or even 911, if they see a threat or hear a rumor regarding school violence.

Police and the school district are also encouraging families to discuss the seriousness of threats with their children, including setting family expectations and consequences for inappropriate behavior. Other recommendations to families include limiting students’ exposure to violence on television, movies and video games and setting boundaries for students’ social media use, including monitoring students’ online activities for their safety and well-being.

“School safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Lockhart says in the video.