Chelsea State Bank ad

AG Nessel Issues Video Outlining Potential Punishments for Making School Threats

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a new video on Tuesday that highlights the seriousness of making threats against schools.

The Michigan Department of Education will be sharing the video with districts for additional awareness and distribution. 

“In recent weeks, threats of violence have been reported at schools across Michigan,” Nessel says in the video. “Local law enforcement agencies have reported threats on social media that number in the hundreds within their own communities. As a result, kids in our state have missed valuable days of instruction as school administrators are forced to close buildings to keep kids safe. Whether these are real threats made by those intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences.” 

In the video, Nessel explains the potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence, which include: 

  • communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony; 
  • calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony; 
  • malicious us of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor; and 
  • threatening violence against school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor. 

“Threatening the lives of students and staff, whether with intent to harm or simply to disrupt, is an outrage, particularly in the wake of the tragedy in Oxford,” State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said in a press release. “Our students and staff should feel safe in our schools, and anyone that threatens that safety should be subject to swift and significant consequences.” 

The video can be viewed on the Department of Attorney General’s YouTube page

If you receive a threat or know of a threat of violence against your community, please contact your local law enforcement.  

You can also leave a tip with the state’s OK2SAY hotline by calling 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). The hotline operates 24/7 and protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity. 

OK2SAY, which is housed within the Michigan State Police, provides for confidential reports of potential self-harm, harm to others, or criminal acts including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, assault, or rape, directed at students, school employees, or schools in this state.  

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More News

Adult Learners Institute Announces April Schedule

March 22, 2024

Take a Journey Through Holy Week at Zion Lutheran Church

March 22, 2024

March 22: Final Lenten Fish Fry at St. Mary Church

March 22, 2024

Reminder: Spring Fling Craft Show from Fishville Farms at Chelsea Fairgrounds March 23

March 22, 2024

Recent Obituary: Thomas Joseph McGaw, Jr.

March 22, 2024

Jim Bristle and Loren Heller Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award Recipients

March 21, 2024

April 20: Midwest Literary Walk

March 21, 2024

Recent Crime: Forcible Burglary to Business

March 21, 2024

April 8: Election Security in Washtenaw County Zoom Presentation

March 21, 2024

April 4: Virtual Meeting for 2024 County-Wide Resurfacing Program

March 21, 2024

Jackie Dell Receives MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award

March 20, 2024

Chelsea Police Department February Monthly Report

March 20, 2024

March 21: What’s on the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority Agenda

March 20, 2024

Chelsea City Council Draft Minutes from March 4

March 20, 2024

April 8-13: Free College Week at Washtenaw Community College

March 20, 2024

March 20: Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Cancelled

March 20, 2024

What Can Faith in Action Do For You?

March 19, 2024

2023 Chelsea Senior Center Community Impact Report

March 19, 2024

March 20: Support Chelsea Elementary PTO By Dining at Culver’s

March 19, 2024

March 19: What’s on the Planning Commission Agenda

March 19, 2024

Lyndon Township Seeks Local Roads Advisory Committee Volunteer

March 19, 2024