Suspicious note found at Pasadena High School prompts concern

PASADENA – A note found at Pasadena High School earlier this week has prompted police to increase officers’ presence at the campus through the end of the week, authorities said.
The school schedule continued as normal this week following the discovery of the note during the school day Tuesday, according to Pasadena police and Pasadena Unified School District officials. In the note, which officials declined to described in specific detail, the author states that he or she overheard another student making reference to wanting to harm another unidentified person, or people, at the school.
“There isn’t an identified individual that supposedly made the threat that was overheard,” Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said, adding that detectives were investigating the note as a “suspicious circumstance.”
“It did reference toward Friday, or by Friday, so we’re just being careful,” she said. Though there was no evidence Thursday that the note reflected a credible threat, “We are taking this note, and any incidents like this, seriously.”
The anonymous note was found in a common area in the school, however Ibarra declined to be more specific.
Extra officers were expected to maintain a presence at Pasadena High School through Friday, “Out of an abundance of caution in a post-Newtown world,” PUSD spokesman Adam Wolfson said.
“We’re letting kids and parents know that it’s our priority to keep students safe,” Wolfson said.
Parents were notified of the situation via automated phone called Wednesday, he added.
He reminded parents, or any concerned person, that the PUSD uses the Nixle system to distribute public information via text messages, and those interested can sign up by texting “PUSD” to 888777.
Both police and PUSD officials said students are encouraged to speak up when they see or hear something suspicious. Rather than an anonymous note, however, students are advised to contact the Pasadena Police Department, or leave a tip anonymously via WeTip at 800-782-7463.
Officials also encourage students with concerns to take advantage of the resources offered through the district through teachers, nurses and counselors.

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