Police step up school patrols

Unsubstantiated rumors and the end of the Mayan calendar are prompting Superior police to step up its presence at the communities school. Additional patrols may be visible around school campuses and more uniformed officers could be in some of the buildings.

This is not in response to any substantiated threat but is designed to help foster a safe and secure environment as well as to serve as a deterrence to any criminal activity, according to Deputy Chief Nicolas Alexander.

The department and school district have investigated unsubstantiated reports regarding rumors about potential violence or threats at the schools.

“They are just that, rumors, unsubstantiated, and as far as we can tell without merit,” said Police Chief Charles LaGesse.

These rumors have circulated by word of mouth and through online social networks.

The rumors appear to be related to the recent violence in Connecticut as well as the Mayan calendar prediction that today, Dec. 21, will be the end of the world.

“We continue to take these rumors seriously but none of them have been substantiated or determined to have any merit,” Alexander stated in a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon.

Law Enforcement agencies across the country and throughout northern Wisconsin and Minnesota are taking similar measures.

Despite the recent tragedy in Connecticut citizens should remain confident that our schools are a very safe place for our students to be, and the police department and school district work hard to create safe environments for our children, Alexander said.

“While we’re sorry to see rumors getting spooled up, I’m appreciative that we and the school district are being informed about them,” LaGesse said. “Citizens and students should report any threats to the proper authorities. This information allows us to investigate these issues.”

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