• logo

     
    March 6, 2015

    Dear Parents/Guardians: 

    Last night, a Michigan City High School student posted a threatening message on Facebook. In this message, the student threatened to bring a weapon to school and to a local public park.

    Early this morning before school, local law enforcement searched the student’s home and school officials searched the student’s locker, and no weapon was found. The student, however, faces criminal charges for the threatening message, in addition to school disciplinary action.

    Michigan City Police Department has asked us to remind students and parents that making threats on social media or in any other setting can have very serious consequences. (It is not considered “free speech” to threaten physical harm to someone.) They also asked us to provide families with information about Indiana laws regarding Intimidation, Harassment and Stalking - please see below.

    We are grateful to the Michigan City Police for their assistance in this matter, and to the individuals who came forward to report the threat to police last night.

    The safety and security of our students and staff is always top priority. Thank you for your continued support!

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins

    Superintendent 

    Indiana laws regarding Intimidation, Harassment and Stalking

     

    • Intimidation (IC 35-45-2-1)
      • A person commits the act of intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor, when that person communicates a threat to another person, with the intent:
        • That the other person engage in conduct against the other person’s will; or
        • That the other person be placed in fear for a prior lawful act
      • The offense is a D felony if:
        • The threat is to commit a forcible felony;
        • The victim of the threat is an employee of a school corporation; or
        • The threat is communicated using property, including electronic equipment or systems, of a school corporation or other governmental entity
      • As of July 1, 2013, “Communication” has been defined to include the posting of a message electronically, including on a social networking website

     

    • Harassment (IC 35-45-2-2)
      • A person commits the act of harassment, a Class B misdemeanor, when that person, with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person but with no intent of legitimate communication:
        • Makes a phone call (doesn’t matter if the person did not answer);
        • Communicates with a person by telegraph, mail or other written communication; or
        • Uses a computer network or other form of electronic communication to:
          • Communicate with a person; or
          • Transmit an obscene message or indecent or profane words to a person
      • “Obscene” is defined as being sexually inappropriate or anything lacking serious artistic, literary, political or scientific value

     

    • Stalking (IC 35-45-10-5)
      • A person commits the act of stalking, a Class D felony, when that person stalks another person
      • "Stalk" means a knowing or an intentional course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened and that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened