Below is a message the local PD posted on FB after the HS sent an alert message to parents. One night recently, a student threatened a bunch of kids without using names on social media saying they would be shot up either today or tomorrow. The threatened included the football team and cheerleaders from what I gather. The kid claimed to have been bullied. So the PD is posting most of our force at the school today and tomorrow. Some parents are POd that school is still being held and keeping their kids out of school, while others agree with how it is being handled. The school was in chaos today as some parents didn't know this was going on, so when they learned of it, they went to the school to get their kids. How would you feel? Obviously, that kid will not be going back to that school, at least I don't think so. I think the town handled it well, keeping kids safe without disrupting the school schedule. I think that sends a message that although we take things seriously we will not give you your 15 minutes of fame, which is what many, if not all, the perps want.
Message from Chief of Police In regards to the announcement sent out by town High School, the Town Police Department has been involved since the early stages. There were no direct threats made, we know who the student is, and have been in contact with the student and family, who have been very cooperative. There were no "hit lists" and the Hudson Police will be at the school to help alleviate any concerns students and parents may have.
From the School
The Town Schools and the Town PD have collaborated to ensure a safe learning environment for your student at AHS today and tomorrow.
I was a senior when the Columbine shooting happened. A couple of weeks later, there was a threat to our school. This was before social media, so I'm not sure where it came from, but the PD and FBI were involved. They did not cancel school, they did say if you choose to not send your student, it would not be counted against them. I went to school. I felt, and my parents agreed, it was important to not allow the fear to rule our lives.
I was a senior when the Columbine shooting happened. A couple of weeks later, there was a threat to our school. This was before social media, so I'm not sure where it came from, but the PD and FBI were involved. They did not cancel school, they did say if you choose to not send your student, it would not be counted against them. I went to school. I felt, and my parents agreed, it was important to not allow the fear to rule our lives.
This I so agree with. I trust our PD and school to do the right thing. They felt although there was a threat, it was contained and controlled.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I know the one day I pulled up to our high school and the entire student body was in the stadium and the school was surrounded with every emergency vehicle possible and we were directed to park in the outer parking, scared the crap out of me.
I think I would need to see how I felt if and when I had to deal with it.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
This is a very difficult thing. For instance, we have had bomb threats that were written on a bathroom wall. Like " I am going to blow up the school" type thing. But, we have had to decide what to do with that. First, we don't know how long that has been in writing on the wall. COuld have been there for days. Who knows? And in reality, how often has an actual bomb threat resulted in finding a bomb? That is the most rare thing. Threatening to shoot up a school, now that has been acted on a lot more. So, if someone is threatening, then i would be more inclined to take that as a true threat.
We literally had like 10 bomb threats, which resulted in a lot of lost instruction time, police searches and on and on. We do have to use commonsense. However, what if you are wrong? You have to really assume the worst for the most part.
If any kid threatens, he should be immediately suspended that day. That is what we did on one occasion.
My former office would get bomb threats daily. Our security people had to make decisions based on information,"chatter", etc. There were times they brought the dogs through, times the sniper who stood post on the balcony outside my office window was poised, and times when our parking garage was on lockdown. But the only time we were sent home was on 9/11.
Calls are tough, and we all try to make the best decisions we can.
