This afternoon, the Westport Police Department responded to a report received through the Veterans Suicide Hotline. It involved a threatening text allegedly targeting Greens Farms Elementary School.
The same threat was reported in several other towns in Connecticut.
GFS enacted a “shelter in place” order.
Officers conducted a thorough investigation, and determined that the threat was not valid.
Greens Farms Elementary School.
It is suspected to be a case of “swatting”: making a false report to emergency services, to cause a large-scale response.
Though the threat was unfounded, the WPD implemented several measures out of an abundance of caution. Officers were stationed at all schools in the district until dismissal to ensure the safety of students and staff, and provide reassurance to the community.
Westport Police say they “take all threats seriously, regardless of their validity, and will continue to work closely with local organizations, school administrators, and law enforcement partners to address these incidents and prevent disruptions to public safety.
“Swatting not only diverts critical emergency resources but also causes unnecessary fear and anxiety within the community.
“The safety and security of our community remain our highest priorities, and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our residents as we respond to these situations.”
Superintendent of School Thomas Scarice says, “I arrived at GFS shortly after the call was made, and was greeted by 6 officers, including the deputy chief.
“I want to recognize and thank the WPD for their rapid response, and I want to thank the administration and faculty of GFS for their responsive actions.”
Sam Pollack: student at gfs. I’m in 5th grade, and at approx. 1:05 when we were doing writing the announcement came up, our lunch is at 1:30, so we missed roughly 10 minutes of lunch. We were scared throughout the day, because the last time a secure the school, yet alone shelter in place happened, it was a raccoon with rabies. I can’t believe this happened today at my school, the staff controlled it really good. I’m also a Boy Scout, and I actually served and bussed the Veterans on Veterans’ day. And they were really nice.
Sick. No excuse for this kind of behavior. I have worked the Veterans Hotline out of West Haven and this time of year is especially tough on VETS and for someone to abuse the system to scare young children should be locked up.
I was just reading an article from the Palm Beach Post about the Baker Act which is a law in Florida. I remember maybe 15 or so years ago a Miami attorney got his father removed from our condo for odd behavior to be mentally evaluated. Maybe every state needs a Baker Act to possibly catch outlandish behavior and have the person evaluated. I’m sure this isn’t the first outlandish act this person did and I’m sure there were signs along the way!