Police, Schools Share Consequences of School Threats

The Las Cruces Police Department and Las Cruces Public Schools are reminding students about the consequences of making, posting or sharing threats of shootings.

In the last few weeks, three Las Cruces teenagers have been charged for posting threats to their social media accounts. The students charged were ages 11, 13 and 15.

The Las Cruces Police Department is committed to investigating every threat made to a school and will continue to collaborate with public school officials to help ensure the safety and security of students, faculty and staff.

“Our district is grateful for the partnership with the Las Cruces Police Department to keep our students and staff safe,” said LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz. “We encourage students to utilize all resources for reporting crime such as telling an adult, calling 911 or by downloading the STOPit app.”

The STOPit app is free and can be downloaded to most devices. It allows students to submit a report on illegal or suspicious activity and remain anonymous.

In New Mexico, making any kind of threat to shoot or take a firearm to a school or public building; placing any person or group in fear of great bodily harm; preventing or interrupting the occupation or use of a public building; or causing law enforcement to respond to an emergency is considered a crime.

It’s also against the law to interfere with staff or employees of any public building, including schools.

State statute 30-20-13 specifically says, “No person shall willfully interfere with the educational process of any public or private school by committing, threatening to commit or inciting others to commit any act which would disrupt, impair, interfere with or obstruct the lawful mission, processes, procedures or functions of a public or private school.”

Similarly, making or verbalizing a bomb scare is also against the law and is considered a felony offense.

Las Cruces Public Schools also investigates such threats and can suspend or expel a student who is suspected of making or posting a threat.

Anyone who sees or receives a threatening post is asked to refrain from forwarding it to others, or reposting it, as doing so can cause unnecessary fear and widespread panic. Police encourage anyone who sees or receives information that is believed to be threatening to screen-save the content and immediately alert law enforcement by calling 911.