Jenkintown police presence provided at GLOW Dance event following juvenile’s threatening text messages

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March 29th, 2025 | By Ryan Genova

The Jenkintown Police Department announced that officers received a report on the afternoon of Friday, March 28 of threatening text messages by a juvenile from outside the borough directed toward several local students.

According to their report, a discussion regarding attendance at the GLOW Dance, scheduled for Saturday, March 29 on Jenkintown School District property, was interjected in the texts.

“No specific threat to the Dance was uttered. The Police Department has investigated the incident, and we are confident that there are no credible threats to the GLOW Dance that is scheduled for this afternoon and evening,” police said. “The juveniles involved have all been identified and their parents are fully cooperating.”

Police noted that the message exchange “was related to an unresolved disagreement or conflict from the past. Accountability for their actions is already in effect as part of that cooperation with the Police Department.”

Police presence was provided at school property today during the event.

From the announcement:

Unfortunately, these types of behaviors that are occurring between juveniles on text messaging, social media, and other forms of communication have occurred more frequently. Most times the incidents involve immaturity and lack of understanding for the language and written communication that is transmitted, and on how it is received or processed upon receipt. Juveniles are struggling to interact socially because of these communication struggles and interpretations of language used via these technological mediums. We suggest you take this time to have open conversations with your children to discuss the impact of language and how we communicate on social media and through text messages. The School District and the Police Department will continue to work together to address these issues in a timely manner and will hold parties accountable for any behaviors that are criminal and/or violations of School District Code of Conduct.

Questions regarding this situation can be directed to Chief Scott at tscott@jenkintownpd.org or 215-884-1202 ext. 101.

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