Suffolk schools threat, security scares prompt investigations
Police and other first responders at the intersection of Hampton Road and Narrow Lane near Southampton High School on Monday, after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of the district's three schools. Credit: Tom Lambui
A bomb threat forced the evacuation of Southampton schools, while police in Riverhead investigated a bullet discovered on the floor of a school bus, the authorities said.
Riverhead police also said they investigated an incident in which a 7-year-old boy brought a bullet to Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton on Friday.
Southampton Village police said a school district security official Monday reported an anonymous email claiming, "I put bombs inside of every school in Southampton."
Just before noon, police evacuated about 1,300 students, teachers and staff from the district's high school and its intermediate and elementary schools.
Police sent officers to each school, joined by K-9 units, to search for any explosive devices. Nothing suspicious was found, police said.
High school and middle school students were released to parents at 11:50 a.m. at the Southampton Fire Department.
Elementary school students were released to parents at 12:20 p.m. at a nearby church, school district officials said.
Students were not allowed back into the school buildings.
Police also searched Our Lady of the Hamptons, Southampton Day Care, the Children’s School and Alternatives for Children Southampton school. No devices were found at any locations.
Police cleared all schools by 2:30 p.m.
Anyone with information was asked to call Southampton Village police detectives at 631-283-0056.
Separately on Monday morning, a school bus driver in Riverhead reported that a bullet had been found on the floor of the vehicle, according to Riverhead police..
"The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and community remains our highest priority," wrote William R. Galati, acting superintendent of the Riverhead Central School District, in a letter to the school's community.
In a statement Tuesday, the school district said an investigation with the Riverhead police officials had finished and "the origin of the bullet has been determined. It was also determined that at no time were any students or adults on that bus in any danger, nor was there any danger to any other Riley students or staff. The statement did not provide information about the bullet's origin.
Riverhead police also said that an investigation determined that a 7-year-old boy brought a "22 Caliber Projectile" to Riley Avenue Elementary School on Friday.
"Upon interviewing the parents," Riverhead police said in a Monday news release, "all weapons were safely secured in the home and the child did not have access at any time. Students and staff were not in any danger at any time."
With Michael O'Keeffe
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
