ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA - In the early morning hours of September 9, 2022, Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) responded to a threat to Western Albemarle  High School made through social media.  After an investigation, officers determined this threat not to be credible. The responsible juvenile will be charged with the following:

• 18.2-60: Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or member of his family; threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to health care providers; penalty. 

Albemarle County Police Department takes all threats on any school seriously, and will continue to work with the school system, parents, students, teachers, and staff to keep everyone safe.

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ACPD would like to take this opportunity to encourage families to review the following online and social media safety tips. Read them, discuss them with your students, and reach out with any questions or concerns. 

• Monitor your child’s phone, computer, and online accounts regularly. 
• Your child should not have a phone, computer, or online account that you do not have access to. 
• Have a conversation with your child about the use of their phone during school.  
• Phones at school should only be used in an emergency and should otherwise remain in a backpack or pocket. 
• In the event that a student sees a threat on social media, text, or an internet site, they should immediately notify a school administrator and the police.  
• ACPD will work with the school to develop a plan of action.  
• At no point should anyone share it with friends or post it online. 
• Young people believe that there is a certain amount of anonymity online and with certain internet-based apps. While this is somewhat true, the internet and apps that use the internet are not completely private.  
• Some may think that school threats are funny, but the community and police do not. Those who make these posts will be held accountable and there will be criminal consequences.