LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — North Little Rock School District is ramping up its security after a second threat was made against the high school in less than a week.
Last week, North Little Rock Police received a threat against North Little Rock High School on social media. Monday morning it received a comment in reference to that threat.
Police identified and arrested a 17-year-old male shortly after receiving the comment.
“When we received that information, we stepped up patrols around the school because we want to provide that safety and comfort to citizens and students,” Sgt. Amy Cooper said.
Sgt. Cooper said police will be patrolling the school more closely, both inside and out.
“Just to give that perception to everyone that we're here. We're not going to allow anybody to feel afraid, if we can help,” she said.
Sgt. Cooper said there is no active threat to the school, but the department will continue to patrol for the rest of the week.
“We have taken every measure that we know to take. We want to ensure your child’s safety. We’re going to be in an increased presence and capacity at the schools so that your children feel safe,” Sgt. Cooper said.
Superintendent Kelly Rodgers said the district is in talks to put more security in its schools permanently.
"Our principal and I and our district resource and safety staff have discussed adding additional scanners into the district. Maybe some random scanning in some of our classrooms,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said the district is also considering opening up a hotline that students can call if they see anything suspicious.
"[Students] are ones that can help us keep our schools the safest when they know things are going on. They watch social media pages. They hear in the classrooms. Students talk to each other,” he said. “Students: Work with us. Communicate with us.”
Both Rodgers and Sgt. Cooper said any threat will be taken very seriously and can result in serious consequences.
"For people who believe that making a threat whether it's a joke or not, whether its credible or not, we are not going to tolerate that behavior at all and if charges can be pressed then we are going to press them,” Sgt. Cooper said.
North Little Rock Police are still working to identify who made the original, anonymous threat last week. Anyone with any information on this should call North Little Rock Police.