COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Columbus Police and Columbus City School administrators say they're working together to keep local schools safe, following a recent string of threats of violence at schools made on social media.
All of the threats come in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died last Wednesday.
Columbus Police Deputy Chief Michael Woods says they positioned officers outside several buildings on Friday as a precaution, and he's urging parents to talk to their kids about the seriousness of threats.
"If you hear things, someone making a threat, someone that repeats something, contact law enforcement. Let us get that recorded, "Woods said.
He also cautioned against sharing a threatening post on social media, saying a post going viral inhibits their ability to track it down.
Columbus Police Interim Superintendent, Dr. John Stanford, says "When you are putting others in jeopardy, and causing panic, it is not a joke, and you should not play around with this type of thing."
Several other school districts around central Ohio closed buildings as well on Friday due to threats on social media.