Southold Town Police Announce New Policy Toward School Threats

From Greenport Union Free School District:

September 17, 2019

An Open Letter to North Fork School Districts
During the last several years school districts and law enforcement alike have experienced a sharp increase in threats directed at our local school campuses and populations, partially due to the increased use of social media amongst school students. As a result of school shooting events that have taken place across the country, school districts must take these threats seriously and New York State has mandated that they must re-evaluate the security on their campuses and must invest substantial funds in security enhancements. The school districts in Southold Town are no exception. Through the direction of our school superintendents and school boards, School Safety Teams are in place, access points are now limited in our school buildings, visitor screening is conducted, security camera systems are being installed, and security guards now employed.

The Southold Town Police Department has joined as partners with all six of Southold Town's school districts in providing support for their security efforts including enhancements in our dispatch center and most recently by the formation of a School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, consisting of three officers, to address schools' security concerns throughout the Town. Since its inception, the SROs have spent countless hours investigating threats to the school population and staff as a result of threats made via social media platforms. I would like to firmly convey the following to your school students, parents and family members and the community at large:

The Southold Town Police Department joins Suffolk County law enforcement in declaring a ZERO TOLERANCE policy toward anyone that makes a statement or remark that appears to be threatening to a school, students or staff of our Town's school districts. Statements made aloud, in written material, in graffiti, posted on any kind of social media platform, or transmitted electronically over a phone/ fax/ email, etc... about firearms, shootings, explosives, bombs or any other similar threat will be investigated thoroughly, and if appropriate, the responsible person(s) will be arrested, charged criminally and prosecuted to the extent of the law.

I urge all parents, guardians and family members to discuss the above statement with your children so they fully understand the consequences involved with making these type of threats, whether it was intended as a joke, prank or any other unintended action.

Sincerely,

Mariefly, Clif

Martin Flatley

Chief of Police

This press release was produced by Greenport Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.