Threatening letters found at Nassau Community College

Third Squad detectives are trying to find out who might have written threatening letters to students and faculty of Nassau Community College that were "racially and ethnically charged," Nassau County police said Friday.

Police said two employees working in Building V at 1 Education Dr. in East Garden City found the undated letters Thursday. The letters were directed at faculty members and students in the school's nursing program, police said.

A memo from the school's public safety department said the letters made "physical threats directed at certain" people in the program, but did not name any individuals or elaborate on the nature of the threats.

Det. Sgt. James Watson said the threats are being investigated as a "possible bias incident." Watson said the letters were left in classrooms and were placed so they could be found.

"Basically, the threats encompass all types of ethnicities, not just people of color or minorities," Watson said.

School spokesman Reggie Tuggle said alerts have been posted notifying faculty and students of the letters and reminding students to be cautious.

"We're concerned about the safety of the school community, and we want them to be cautious and mindful of anything suspicious," Tuggle said.

Tuggle said Nassau Community College's nursing department has about 400 students and 56 staff members this semester.

Citing the ongoing investigation, Tuggle said he could not provide any more details. He said he could not recall any similar incidents at the school in his 14 years as an employee.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers, 800-244-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.