San Angelo Police Dispel Rumor Circulating about 9-11 Threat towards SAISD Campuses

This afternoon, the San Angelo Police Department was contacted by a citizen who asked us to verify an “Official Emergency Notification” alleged to have been issued by our agency.  The bunk message warns citizens of an imminent threat to SAISD campuses on September 11, encouraging parents to keep their children home from school that day.  The notification also claimed that the SAPD arrested four illegal immigrants outside an SAISD campus this morning, and the men were allegedly filming students and teachers.

This emergency notification is false and not issued by the San Angelo Police Department.  In the event we learn about a substantiated threat to the public safety of our community, we will partner with local and Federal Law Enforcement as well as our area schools to notify the public through; Nixle- the official San Angelo Police Department’s emergency notification system, local news media outlets, and the San Angelo Police Department’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts.  

Through an investigation, we have learned this rumor began circulating based in part by an online article posted on beforeitsnews.com’s top 50 articles.  The article states that the information was found to be a hoax and the originating news outlet printed a retraction.  Much of the message that was circulating locally was taken verbatim from the online hoax message, substituting our police department and school district.  The fake notification has been circulating locally through text message and social media.  

Although this particular incident was found to be rumor, San Angelo Police officials want to remind citizens to remain vigilant in these times.  Homeland Security starts at home, with all of us.  If you see suspicious behavior, report it law enforcement. 

To subscribe to official San Angelo Police Department emergency notifications, visit www.nixle.com.