'Unauthorized recording device' found in Bay Shore High bathroom

Special Victims Unit detectives are investigating after Bay Shore school district officials reported finding "an unauthorized recording device" in a high school bathroom Thursday, the Suffolk Police Department confirmed.

Neither police nor the school district would specify what kind of recording device was found, or if it was in a bathroom accessible to students.

In a statement to the school community Thursday, Bay Shore Superintendent Steven J. Maloney wrote: "Earlier today, the Bay Shore School District was made aware of an incident regarding an unauthorized recording device found at Bay Shore High School. The device was found in a single-use bathroom and reported to building administration. The District immediately began an investigation into the matter and notified the Suffolk County Police Department. The Bay Shore School District takes matters like this very seriously and is cooperating with the Suffolk County Police Department to identify the responsible person. Any individual found to be involved will be addressed in accordance with District policy and may be subject to criminal charges."

Neither the district nor police would further detail the term "single-use bathroom" or provide details on where that bathroom was located in the school.

It was also unclear if the bathroom was used by teachers and staff or if it was a bathroom for — or accessible to — students. It was also not immediately clear who found the device.

Police would only confirm Friday there is an active investigation related to the incident.

In his statement to the school community, Maloney wrote: "The safety and security of our students and staff are a top priority. As always, thank you for your continued support of our students and Bay Shore Schools."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”