(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) We’re just over a month into Knox County’s school year, and the number of people facing charges for threatening schools is steadily growing.

Wednesday, District Attorney Charme Allen said 17 people in Knox County were being charged in connection to school threats. Thursday morning, that total had jumped to 23.

However, that news came early Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office reported that it had responded to five more threats, arresting a 12-year-old Cedar Bluff Middle School student. More arrests could be coming, according to KCSO.

The news of charges comes after the school district saw a major spike in threats, which prompted increased police presence at Knox County schools.

WVLT News sat down Thursday morning with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who said keeping students safe is a priority.

“School shootings and and these things are top of mind,” Jacobs said. “This is not a joke. It’s not a prank. It’s not funny. It’s not cute. It’s a crime, and if you’re caught, and most likely you will be caught, there are serious penalties, so please don’t do this.”

Jacob’s comments echo a lot of what Sheriff Tom Spangler told WVLT News leading into the school year. New state legislation is upping the seriousness of mass violence threats, and Spangler made it clear that he intends to crack down on school threats.

”If it happens and if you’re caught, we’ve made it very clear,” Spangler said. “I’m going to sound redundant, but it’s that important to me that we hold these individuals accountable.”

Knox County isn’t the only school system to see a jump in threats this week. Several counties and school systems across East Tennessee placed more officers inside schools Wednesday as a precaution.

A McMinn County man is facing felony charges for making school threats, according to the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office.