Classes Canceled For Second Day At Mira Costa HS After Social Media Threats
MANHATTAN BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A South Bay high school will remain closed to students Wednesday for the second day after the campus received five threats via the anonymous social media app, Yik Yak.
Mira Costa High School teachers and staff will be on the campus Wednesday working on a plan to keep students safe, which will include a list of what they will be allowed to bring on campus.
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District said in a written statement Tuesday evening that the campus will reopen Thursday.
"This decision was made based on a review of all events, consultation with the Manhattan Beach Police Department, and direct input from Mira Costa High School faculty," the statement said.
Classes were canceled at the school Tuesday, a day after a Yik Yak post prompted a campus lockdown.
The first threat was reported Monday morning by an unidentified student and stated: "If you go to Costa you should watch out very closely at school today."
Yik Yak uses GPS to determine a user's location and displays anonymous posts within a 1.5-mile radius.
Later that evening, three additional threats were posted on the app, prompting the cancellation of classes and all school activities Tuesday.
"Nice try Costa. Today was just a drill."
"Almost every school shooter left a warning before committing the crime and everyone ignored them, just remember."
"Tomorrow at 2. be ready Costa. You're going on lockdown."
A fifth and final threat was posted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, officials said.
"If you go to Costa you should watch out very closely on Wednesday."
Manhattan Beach police were working with Atlanta-based Yik Yak to help identify who made the threatening posts. The company has also blocked their app from all school sites.
Police, which will have an increased presence in and around the school for the rest of the week, have searched the campus for any suspicious items.
Counselors will also be available to students when they return to campus Thursday.
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