Springfield High School plans extra security, bag searches

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Springfield High School plans to have extra security and metal detectors in place Thursday in response to a threat circulating on social media.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that Springfield School District spokeswoman Bree Hankins says the "SHS" threat doesn't specifically mention the school and has been circulated in other geographic areas outside Illinois. She says Springfield police have been in touch with police in other communities responding to the same social media posts.

Hankins says it's unlikely the threat is specific to Springfield but the district will have extra security and police at the school "out of an abundance of caution." Students will be screened with handheld metal detectors and their bags will be searched. Parents were notified Wednesday evening.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com