Support for LAist comes from
Made of L.A.
Stay Connected

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

School Shuts Down Two Days In A Row Because Some Jerk Keeps Making Threats

Support your source for local news!
The local news you read here every day is crafted for you, but right now, we need your help to keep it going. In these uncertain times, your support is even more important. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership. Thank you.


A Manhattan Beach high school shut down for the second day in a row because some jerk won't stop making vague threats on anonymous messaging app Yik Yak. Yik Yak is a simple messaging app you can download on Android or iOS. You can use the app to simply send a message into the ether. Like this joke that appears as a top Yak on the app's site: "My gpa is lower than my high score in Tetris. But that's ok because a gpa of 3,161,959 is unreasonable." Cute, huh? While the rules state that Yik Yak is not for bullying or being offensive, a quick download reveals that most of the messages are inappropriate jokes, pleas for sex or musings about weed—or maybe that's just the vibe in Central L.A.

But near Mira Costa High School, someone has been using the app to make ambiguous threats. On Monday, a student found a message that read, "If you go to Costa, you should watch out very closely at school today," L.A. Times reports. The student alerted a teacher, who notified authorities. Police searched the campus, but found nothing.

Later that day, a second message appeared, Manhattan Beach Officer Stephanie Martin said. This one read: "Nice try Costa, today was just a drill." That night at about 8 p.m., a third message read: "tomorrow at 2 be ready Costa, you're going on lockdown."

School officials plan to open back up on Thursday with additional security, and they are still searching for the person behind the messages. They've also contacted Yik Yak and requested that the app provide them with software that would make students unable to use Yik Yak within a boundary around the campus. Yik Yak is currently blocked on the school's wifi.

Support for LAist comes from

Manhattan Beach isn't the only school district that's had trouble with anonymous threats made via Yik Yak. There have been bullying issues in Illinois, as well as a bomb threat in San Clemente.

Most Read