‘Yik Yak’ post causes Public Safety investigation

A PLNU student’s ‘Yik Yak’ post was investigated this morning by PLNU’s Public Safety department and the San Diego Police Department because it appeared to be a threat.

At 11:06 a.m. on Monday, a PLNU student grew concerned of what’s called a ‘Yak’ that was posted, took a screen shot of it, and sent it to Public Safety.

Yik Yak is a social media network where people can post short thoughts anonymously which can be viewed by people within a 5 mile radius.

The yak read, “I wonder what school is going to get shot up today.”

Public Safety said they received the screenshot of the yak at 11:30a.m. and contacted the San Diego Police Department who took over the investigation on the post.

At 1:05 p.m. Public Safety sent an email and text message to the student body in regard to the yak post.

‘Public Safety is aware of an anonymous social media post from earlier today that is concerning in nature,” Public Safety wrote. “While concerning, the post did not constitute an overt threat to PLNU specifically. SDPD is actively investigating. Both Public Safety and SDPD will be increasing their presence in the area.’

Someone responded to the yak and wrote “Wowwww that’s not funny.”

The person who posted the original yak responded and wrote “[It’s] not supposed to be.”

Another anonymous user responded on and wrote “The way you [said] that, it almost seems like a threat.”

The yak was no longer on Yik Yak when The Point investigated.

Junior and Dietetics major Reeana Bucaroff said she heard about the Yik Yak post from her roommate’s friend who saw the post.

“It was kind if scary because of the shooting’s [of] Christians,” Bucaroff said.

At 1:15 the student who wrote the yik yak post went into Public Safety to take ownership of the post. The student was questioned, and told Public Safety what was really meant by the post.

According to the Supervisor of Public Safety Kazimir Trypuc, the student said they were trying to make a political statement about the frequency of shootings on college campuses.

At 1:48 p.m. Public Safety sent out an email to the student body that read, “The author of the social media post was identified and questioned. Campus officials are satisfied that there is no threat to the campus community,” Public Safety wrote. “Public Safety is grateful for the information provided by members of the PLNU community in response to this incident.

Trypuc said their case about this Yik Yak post is closed, but the San Diego Police Department’s case is still open.

Trypuc said he cannot say whether charges will be filed against this student for this post.

He encourages students to report any suspicious behavior on campus to Public Safety.