An anonymous tip submitted to the Yucaipa Police Department's STOPit system sparked an investigation into a potential school threat. The tip, concerning a possible shooting planned for Wednesday morning at Park View Middle School, included names of specific students involved, revealing fractures in the community that demanded attention.
The STOPit platform is designed to allow for anonymous reporting of various issues such as bullying, discrimination, harassment, violence or threats, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and mental health struggles. This system, in place throughout the Yucaipa-Calimesa School District, is available through a website, iOS application, Google Play App, and telephone – ensuring that every member of the school community has a voice in determining a safe space for all.
The tips submitted yesterday, which were traced back to an off-campus fight that occurred the evening prior, sent the Yucaipa Police Department and school officials into immediate action. Interviews with the students named in the tips were conducted, and their parents were contacted in the process. While the authorities found that the accused students did not have access to firearms, the threat was ultimately deemed non-credible.
With school safety being a top priority, the Yucaipa Police Department and the district decided on increased security measures for the school community, placing additional deputies and staff on campuses as a precautionary measure.
Residents of Yucaipa and members of the school community are urged to continue to utilize the STOPit system to report incidents, as outlined in the Yucaipa Police Department's report. In addition, those with information can directly contact the Yucaipa Police Department at (909) 918-2305 or anonymously through the WeTip link on the Yucaipa City's Website or by telephone at (800) 782-7463.
