Scarice Updates Community On School Threats, Police Response

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice says:

Good afternoon,

I would like to provide an update to our school community regarding the reported threats made to Staples High School.

Our School Day Today
Over the course of the day, I visited all 8 WPS schools and spoke with each building principal and faculty members. I observed the additional officers at Staples, and officers patrolling all of our schools today. I have spoken with Westport Police Department Chief Foti Koskinas multiple times today to ensure our systems continue to serve our schools.

In full disclosure, with the exception of some isolated incidents of anxiety, our schools proceeded with their days.  We will return tomorrow with the same high standards for safety that we maintain each day.

Two Separate and Unrelated Staples High School Threats
To reiterate from my message last night to the Staples community, there were 2 entirely separate and unrelated events at Staples. One involved language on a bathroom stall threatening the school community. The other involved a social media posting last night from an identified Staples student.

Assessment of Threats and Actions Taken
I have had multiple conversations with the WPD Chief and members of his team.  I am very comfortable with their protocols and threat assessment.

The WPD team, in collaboration with the Staples and district administration, determined the threat written on the bathroom stall lacked credibility. However, the social media posting warranted immediate and decisive action.

Found on a bathroom stall.

Bathroom Stall Threat
In order to assess credibility of the bathroom stall threat the WPD team and school administration engaged in a process including the following:

• The bathroom where the graffiti was found was secured and closed until the situation was fully assessed.
• The Staples School Resource Officer was notified immediately.
• The district administration was notified.
• The SRO worked with the building administration to conduct an investigation, looking for any potential evidence (i.e. security footage, suspicious activity, etc.) that would identify a suspect.
• Surveillance footage near the bathroom was reviewed to identify potential suspects.
• Any staff or students who might have information about the threat were interviewed.
• The WPD team and school administration monitored social media leads and any student conversations that could provide information to identify a suspect.
• WPD Assessment included:
  • Specificity:
    • Is the threat detailed or is it vague? Are names associated with the threat? Is it specific enough to speculate there is a plan?
  • Wording:
    • The threat’s wording suggests that the threatener has considered how the act will be carried out
  • Capability:
    • If there is a suspect, is there any indication that the person has the means or access to carry it out?
  • History:
    • Are there any similar threats or incidents in the past that could be connected? Is there a suspected individual responsible and if so, is the individual known for behavioral issues, special needs, mental health, etc.?
  • Context:
    • Does this threat coincide with any known tensions, events, or conflicts presently at the school?  Is there corroborating evidence that points to other events providing context that a threat is likely to be carried out?
  • Preparatory steps:
    • Is there a strong indication that the individual responsible for the threat has taken preparatory steps?
  • Rationality:
    • Is it rational to believe that the threat will be carried out? For example, in this instance of the bathroom stall, is there a history of anonymous threats such as this carried out?
  • Any other evidence:
    • Is there any other evidence that would point towards a credible threat?
• Based on the evidence, the WPD and WPS administration determined that the threat was not credible.
• The district administration will continue to work with the WPD to definitively identify any suspects.

Social Media Posting Threat
A review of the social media posting last night warranted immediate intervention and decisive action including:

• A house visit from the WPD to the suspected student after 9 p.m. last night
• An arrest summons issued by the WPD
• A directive to not report to school by the WPD and school administration

The timeline for the evening social media posting was swift:

• 8:56 p.m.
  • The high school administration was notified of a threatening social media, and contacted the WPD and me to plan our actions
• 10:02 p.m.
  • The WPD completed a visit to the home of the suspected student and family
  • An arrest summons was issued
  • The student and family were informed that they are not to report to school on Tuesday and that the Staples administration will contact the family with next steps.
• 10:25 p.m.
  • Notification was sent to the Staples students, families, and faculty
• Tuesday 8:27 a.m.
  • After social media spread, a message was sent to the entire school community, sharing the message sent to the Staples community

Communication to the School Community
My goal is always to balance ensuring the safety of the school community with maintaining calm and minimizing disruption to the school environment.  These two incidents were isolated to Staples and both were managed effectively by the building administration in collaboration with the WPD.

In a simple search this afternoon I found 8 Connecticut school districts report threats made and action taken in just the last week. Unfortunately, this continues to happen. Coupled with unspeakable tragedies like the school shooting in Georgia last week, it is very understandable why there is anxiety and an appetite to know more.

That said, I made the decision to have Staples Principal Stafford Thomas communicate to his school community only, along with my follow up at 10:25 p.m. last night.

Yet it became clear to me by morning that social media spread necessitated a message by me to the entire school community. Additionally, it was pointed out that Bedford Middle School and Staples share a campus, providing further justification for a broader message.

Bedford Middle School parents were anxious today. The school is just up the hill from Staples High School.

Beyond the actual acts of violence, the other destructive factor is the paralyzing fear felt across all school communities in the aftermath of another school shooting, or school violence threat. I did not want to disrupt or worry our other schools as no threats were made in their direction.

Our schools were safe today and remain safe everyday. Sadly, that is not a guarantee, as much as I wish I could. If anything, this is yet another example of how our system of response works. Students reported and we acted decisively.

The speed of our communication will never keep pace with social media.  Taking the time to sit and write this summary message, a necessary part of my job, took a considerable amount of time after ensuring our schools ran smoothly and without incident.

Vigilant Partnership
I want to reassure the school community that the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. While we cannot predict or prevent every potential threat, we can and will continue to act swiftly, and in close partnership with the WPD.

I am humbled by this responsibility, and by the trust and confidence you place in us. Please continue to encourage your children to speak up when they see or hear something concerning, and know that we will always take their reports seriously.

Thank you for your continued support.