Threatening posts on anonymous social media app cause campus rumors, scare

Threatening posts on Ogle, a social media application which recently exploded into popularity, led to schoolwide drama, locked gates, and police involvement at Monte Vista Christian School on Thursday. Aptos High was also affected, and unconfirmed rumors of threats against Watsonville High circulated as well.

"The local authorities have a cyber division that monitors chatter,” Principal Steve Woods said. “They put things together, and were the conduit between the schools.”

Ogle gives users anonymity, which authorities believe may have contributed to the extreme nature of the comments. It is uncertain what the original posts said, since they were deleted from the application's Monte Vista community page. However, one reportedly featured a gun emoji followed by "Don't come to school tomorrow."

Police have not found out who was responsible for the posts.

In an email sent out to MVCS families, Headmaster Steve Sharp told parents, “Law enforcement assured us this was a precautionary visit and there was not an immediate threat.”

Staff held an emergency meeting Thursday morning to discuss protocol and ensure open communication. Discussions about the incident were frequent among students throughout the day, and teachers took time out of their lessons to bring whatever light they could to the issue.

"As a school culture, the student body should rise up and say that this is not who we are,” Woods said.

-Seniors Stuart Buie and Hannah Poole contributed to this report.