Social media posts – threats of violence bring early dismissal at P-CEP campus

Dec. 2, 2021  PLYMOUTH VOICE.

Plymouth Michigan News

In the aftermath of the Oxford school shooting incident this week, Plymouth Canton School Superintendent Monica Merritt Thursday morning ordered early dismissal for all students at Canton, Plymouth and Salem High Schools at the P-CEP campus.

“The fear and anxiety at the PCEP campus has caused significant disruption to the learning environment…”

At 8:50 am, in a letter and recorded message addressed to Plymouth Canton Community Schools- Students, Staff and Families, Merritt said local law enforcement agencies have determined that there is no direct threat and high school students will be dismissed at 9:30 a.m.

“Throughout the evening, we have been working in cooperation with the Canton Township Police Department to investigate several social media posts involving threats of violence at P-CEP. These disturbing posts have been circulated among P-CEP students and appear to be re-posts from other areas. Canton PD has been in contact with regional law enforcement officials throughout the night and have interviewed many P-CCS students relating to these posts.”

Merritt said all other Plymouth-Canton elementary and middle schools will continue as scheduled today.

Dear P-CCS Students, Staff, and Families:

While our local law enforcement agencies have determined that there is no direct threat at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (Canton HS, Plymouth HS, Salem HS) today, we are planning an early dismissal for P-CEP at 9:30 a.m. The fear and anxiety at the P-CEP campus has caused significant disruption to the learning environment, resulting in this decision to dismiss early.  If your student rode the bus to school this morning, they will be transported home.

All other P-CCS elementary and middle schools will continue as scheduled today.  

 Throughout the evening, we have been working in cooperation with the Canton Township Police Department to investigate several social media posts involving threats of violence at P-CEP. These disturbing posts have been circulated among P-CEP students and appear to be re-posts from other areas. Canton PD has been in contact with regional law enforcement officials throughout the night and have interviewed many P-CCS students relating to these posts. 

We take every threat of violence very seriously and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate all rumors.  As we communicated yesterday, it is not uncommon for these types of rumors to circulate following a tragic school event. We will continue to have an increased police presence at all of our schools throughout the remainder of the week. 

We will send additional updates throughout the day with additional information. Student safety and well-being remains the number one priority of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. Thank you for your continued support.

Monica L. Merritt

Plymouth Voice.