Full Notification

If your child goes to Twin Peaks Middle School in Poway, you might hear rumors about a threat against the school on Monday, February 11th. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department would like to assure parents the matter is now under investigation.

A 12-year-old student is now in custody in connection with the email threat. The email was sent Friday (February 8th) to a school administrator. An investigation was conducted over the weekend to trace the source of the email. The student was identified by detectives from the Poway Criminal Apprehension Team and the Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Team or CATCH, a task force consisting of federal, state and local agencies that investigate technology-related crimes. This case will be submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for review and evaluation. Making a terrorist threat is a felony in the State of California.

The news release regarding this incident can be found on www.sdsheriff.net (http://goo.gl/hRiAs).

The Sheriff's Department has no higher priority than the safety of the youth in our communities. We work earnestly to provide for that safety through enforcement, education, and collaboration with our community partners.

School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been assigned to high schools within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department for the past 20 years. They act as the direct liaison between law enforcement, contract cities and school districts. SROs also investigate drug and property crimes, and other criminal cases involving students and schools employees. Deputies with this assignment also give presentations about drug and alcohol use, gangs and truancy, as well as bullying on campus. They also help facilitate the department's free Start Smart classes for new teen drivers. The contract cities or school districts pay for the SROs.

We want to remind students that if they hear any threats of violence or even potential violence, they can always approach our SROs or call the anonymous Crime Stoppers Students Speaking Out Tip Line at (888) 580-8477 or the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200.