An e-mail warning of possible gang activity circulated through Port Arthur ISD Thursday afternoon causing school officials and police to stand on alert.

Police officials said the threat of violence, set to occur Thursday night, was unsubstantiated.

PAISD officials heard the rumor of possible gang activity and alerted principals who in turn sent notes home with students, Mark Porterie, assistant to the superintendent, said.

The incident began when a teacher reportedly overheard several fourth graders talking about a gang initiation rite where a driver will bump into another car and when the possible victim gets out of the vehicle, he or she would be jumped or shot.

The word spread quickly and soon e-mails were being sent warning others about the potential for violence.

Porterie said the threat may be false but the district worries about the safety of its students.

“It’s better to be on alert then not to say anything,” he said.

Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton said the threat is totally unsubstantiated but to be on the safe side, SWAT and members of the PAPD Street Crimes Unit will be out as a precaution.

Police received the e-mail, which had been forwarded numerous times, in an attempt to find the source of the news.

“We can’t substantiate any of this but to be on the safe side we will have SWAT and Street Crimes out,” he said.