The fear over a potential school threat in a neighboring community spilled over onto Manteca social media accounts on Monday, prompting the Manteca Police Department to issue a sharp rebuke against those spreading the false information.

The department was notified about a potential threat of a school shooting and upon investigation determined that the threat with not against a Manteca Unified School District site, but one located in Tracy.

The Tracy Police Department issued an alert on Monday notifying the public about students at Kimball High School that had received threats of a school shooting as well as bomb threat. They noted that while an investigation did not uncover any credibility to the threats, an enhanced police presence would be seen on campus.

“There are absolutely no threats to MUSD campuses,” the Manteca Police flatly stated on Monday. “The rumors being spread on social media are completely false.”

While the agency advocates for members of the community to be aware of their surroundings and report things to the authorities if safety appears to be of concern in a given situation, there have been multiple instances where people took to social media to “warn” about things before the police were even notified that a problem may exist.

The ensuing panic that comes when they find out about something from social media often puts police behind the curve when it comes to determining whether a threat is credible or not, and leads to schools being inundated with calls from concerned parents who are worried about the safety and wellbeing of their children.

“These ongoing rumors are becoming a serious problem. While we understand that parents are concerned for their children’s welfare, social media is NOT the appropriate venue to pass this information around,” the department wrote in a pointed Facebook post. “If you have information you believe should be looked into, call the police or school district.”

“Don’t post it on social media. It only spreads panic and further concern. It serves no purpose and does not make anyone safer.”

Anybody with information about a possible threat or any other information that could be further investigated is encouraged to contact the Manteca Police Department at 209.456.8101.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.