Empty PCMS threat puts school districts on high alert
February 29, 2024 at 12:21 a.m.
After police received a threat towards Port Chester Middle School at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, all schools in both Port Chester and Blind Brook school districts took just-in-case precautions.
Most buildings issued a lockout and the middle school itself was placed on lockdown while the Rye Brook Police Department investigated the situation.
According to Rye Brook Police Chief Greg Austin, while only the middle school was referenced in the threat, the lockout protocols at the other buildings were enacted out of an abundance of caution while the police investigated the situation. During the lockouts, no one was allowed into or out of the buildings.
A lockdown at Port Chester Middle School meant everyone was secured in rooms until emergency responders deemed the building safe, in accordance with the Port Chester School District Emergency Information Guide.
All schools were eventually reopened, and students continued their day until their regular dismissal times.
“There was an anonymous threat made to police,” Austin explained. “It was very vague and broad. The person said they were going to do damage to the school.”
After an investigation, it was determined to have been an empty threat, delivered by a student from inside the building.
According to a statement from the Port Chester School District issued later that night, the police went room to room during the lockdown to ensure everyone was safe. “During this process, the student who owns the phone was identified, as well as other students who were involved in the incident.”
No legal charges have been made against the student, and the school will be handling it internally, the chief added. Austin emphasized that the school district communities remain safe and secure. “There is no threat now, and there never was a threat,” he said.
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