Minot police officers will be doing extra patrols at Minot schools this week, said Lt. Steve Whitesell.
Whitesell said the increased security is in response to rumors spread on social media. Police have found no evidence that the rumors are true but need to take precautions anyway in case there is any truth to them.
Whitesell said the rumors seem to be related to the story about ancient Mayans predicting the end of the world on Dec. 21. Whitesell said last Friday's tragic school shooting in Connecticut probably contributed to the rumors as well.
Whitesell said he didn't want to say which schools the police would be at or when, since that might reduce the effectiveness of the patrols, but there will be an increased police presence.
Minot Public School Supt. Mark Vollmer confirmed there will be more police patrolling the schools this week. He said his administrators have done some investigating but haven't been able to pinpoint who is spreading the rumors or find any evidence that they are true. Vollmer also said school administrators are reviewing school security and the district's crisis plan in the wake of the school shooting in Connecticut.
Andrea Johnson