Travis County DA says 'alarming' number of school threat cases filed so far this school year

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several Central Texas school districts and law enforcement gathered in Austin on Friday morning to talk about school safety concerns, as they've been the target of numerous threats since the school year started just over a month ago.

The Austin Independent School District partnered with several neighboring school districts and law enforcement to host a press conference Friday morning where they addressed safety concerns and talked about how school threats are handled, investigated and have consequences, according to a release from AISD.

School districts that were at the conference include the following: Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Eanes ISD, Hutto ISD, Manor ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Round Rock ISD, Lake Travis ISD and Lockhart ISD. Travis County District Attorney José Garza and the Austin Police Department will also be present, as well as Dennis Security and Professional Services.

AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said education surrounding school threats is important, and he talked about the strain on district staff caused by responding to those threats.

"We're the largest school district in Central Texas and I know we have more resources than many. If our system is being taxed by all of these threats, I know some of our other partners are also feeling the strain. It takes all of us together to educate students about how to keep our schools safe."

He also talked about the fact that AISD staff and police response to school threats happens at all times of day and can cause overtime for those responding, something that isn't accounted for in the district's budget.

"We're working all through the evening and all through late hours continuously," Segura said. "The one thing that isn't often talked about is the amount of overtime that is expended. We are desperately trying to maintain our budgets. Many of us are running deficit budgets at this moment, and so this additional cost isn't something that is budgeted for, but we have to ensure that our officers are paid to do this very important work."

Segura said that while most of the threats are non-credible, the district has seen both students and adults who have perpetuated threats against AISD schools.

Travis County District Attorney José Garza said there has been an "alarming number" of cases involving gun violence at local schools filed in his office so far this school year.

Garza said just over the last week, his office has received over ten of those cases. So far this school year, he said there are more than 30 pending. Garza said he believes two cases involved adults.

"I want to be clear that gun violence against or at schools in our community will not be tolerated," Garza said. "If you make a threat against a school, you will be found, you will be arrested, and you will be held accountable."

AISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed also spoke Friday morning about the police department's approach to school threats, saying every threat will be investigated, whether real or rumored.

Sneed said it's important that parents and guardians talk to their children about the appropriate use of social media and what is appropriate to talk and joke about at school, acknowledging that teenagers and children can have "unique ways" of expressing themselves and joking, but should be aware that things can be taken too far.

"Fake threats have real consequences," Sneed said.

Mental health and counseling resources are available through AISD. Parents and students should talk to their school's counselor if they feel they need help finding resources.

Threats hit Texas schools

As of Wednesday, Sept. 18, Nexstar stations across Texas had reported threats to at least 20 schools just this month, KXAN's Ryan Chandler reported.

In recent weeks in Central Texas, the school districts affected by threats have included Bastrop ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Austin ISD, Hays CISD, Eanes ISD, Marble Falls ISD, and Llano ISD.

Across Texas, the areas of Lubbock, Amarillo, the Rio Grande Valley, Wichita Falls, and San Angelo have dealt with threats and potential threats over the last few weeks.

Ryan Chandler contributed to this story.