Berkeley High email threat sees stepped-up police patrols

Berkeley police increased patrols around Berkeley High School in response to an email threat to campus Thursday morning, authorities report.

In a message to the BHS community, Principal Juan Raygoza reassured parents that there had been no reason to believe the threat, which was assessed by law enforcement, was credible.

But he said there would be "increased patrols and visibility in the area, including parked patrol cars in front of the school" and outside the entrance at Kittredge and Milvia streets.

Raygoza sent the message, which included no details about the nature of the threat, at about 10 a.m.

"This morning BHS received an email threatening an 'attack' on the school today," Raygoza wrote. "The Berkeley Police Department is aware of the situation and are in contact with other government agencies regarding this incident, including the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), who are investigating this email."

In addition to an increased police presence, Raygoza wrote that campus gates had been locked and would remain locked during school hours; that safety officers and BHS office staff had been briefed on safety protocols; and that students would have to show ID when entering through the main entrance and, elsewhere, "be ready to show identification upon request."

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He said classes would continue as normal, and that Berkeley High students and staff had "been asked to remain vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity immediately."

"All students and staff are safe and all BUSD schools and programs are open and continue to operate," he wrote. "Sadly, incidents like these are not uncommon for school districts. We will continue to work very closely with law enforcement partners and will provide our community with updates, as necessary."

Just before publication, BPD confirmed that its officers were on the BHS campus Thursday and had increased patrols in the neighborhood.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," the department said.

This story will be updated if additional information becomes available.

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