Suffolk Schools Respond To Threats Made On Social Media

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Police were investigating reports of threats made against Suffolk County schools on Monday.

In Central Islip, the school district announced that a "viral unspecific social media threat" against local schools was circulating.

"The Central Islip School district and our security team has been working closely with the Suffolk County Police department and has determined that there is no viable threat to the school district," the message read.

As a precaution there was additional police presence and increased security at Central Islip schools on Monday.

In addition, police were investigating a message posted in an online chat room regarding a threat of violence in the Sayville School District.

"We have been informed that the Suffolk County Police Department has resolved the matter and are in the process of bringing the investigation to a close," Sayville Superintendent John Stimmel wrote on the district's website Monday evening.

The Suffolk County Superintendent's Association released a letter over the weekend which stated that a "non-specific threat against schools began circulating on social media."

As a response, in Southold police presence was seen at each school building.

"Today there was a unsubstantiated social media threat being passed around that apparently originated out of a school district in western Suffolk. There was a rumor that there was going to be a school shooting at 12:27 p.m today in an unknown school," Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said.

In a message to parents, the Bay Shore school district stated: "We were made aware of a rumor posted on social media that has been circulating around Suffolk County school districts about an alleged threat. The threat has not been directed at any Bay Shore Schools. Local authorities are already aware of the post and have been investigating the matter."

In Southampton, districts followed police advice to implement a lock out, which remained in effect throughout student dismissal; village police were present during each school's dismissal, and all after school activities were canceled.

In Nassau County, all five schools in the North Shore School District were placed on lockdown for about two hours on Monday afternoon while police investigated a separate possible threat.

The threats come just a few weeks after a deadly shooting in Florida that left 17 dead and numerous others wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.