December 16, 2021
DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, school districts and law enforcement across Iowa worked together to address perceived threats against schools across the nation being posted on social media platforms. Many school districts and local law enforcement agencies proactively addressed these concerns with parents, students, and staff. The Iowa Department of Public Safety monitored the situation throughout the day, and worked with school districts and local law enforcement on a small handful of concerns. No creditable threats of immediate action were received by the Division of Intelligence. Public coverage highlighting these types of concerns is clearly important, but we always need to be careful about sensationalizing that coverage. A person on a path to violence may seek out the notoriety that comes with sensationalized coverage. The Department of Public Safety will continue to monitor social media threats, and will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and schools to ensure the safety of the public.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
https://dps.iowa.gov