Clown threat at Poudre High School not credible, authorities say

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Fort Collins Police and the Poudre School District said threats to Poudre High School involving clowns are not credible.

However, the school district said it takes all threats seriously.

"Please know PSD takes all threats against our schools, students and staff members very seriously and thoroughly investigates each one," Poudre Schools wrote on Facebook. "Our schools remain on heightened alert."

The school district said extra law enforcement personnel was at Poudre High on Thursday.

Fort Collins Police wrote on Facebook:

There is currently a national trend involving social media hoax threats against schools. While we don’t have any information that would lead us to believe this is a credible threat, we are working closely with the Poudre School District to investigate this incident. Poudre School District and FCPS will be providing additional security and continue to be vigilant at Poudre High School. We take any threat against schools, students and staff members very seriously and will continue the investigation.

Poudre High School's principal had teachers read a message to all students Thursday morning, according to the Coloradoan newspaper. It said:

"Students, you need to realize that social media is powerful. Posts that threaten safety are not a harmless joke. This particular post heightened fears in students, parents and school officials. We will not tolerate people threatening the safety of our school community. Actions like this are subject to school discipline and criminal charges where police see fit."

A student at Northridge High School in Greeley admitted to making a threat on social media that caused a scare and additional security at two Greeley schools this week.

Administrators at the Greeley-Evans School District said Wednesday the 15-year-old female student posted on Facebook Monday about a threat involving clowns and a shooting at Northridge High School and Franklin Middle school. 

The student told administrators that the post was made to get attention. She is facing criminal charges and was removed from school.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office posted a note to FacebookWednesday afternoon saying its deputies had to investigate a report of a person dressed in a clown costume Tuesday night near the Bellview School.

So many states are dealing with creepy clown threats that the FBI is getting involved in the investigation.