Make A School Threat, Face Consequences: Police Take Strong Stand

CENTER MORICHES, NY — After three school threats during the first week of classes alone countywide, Suffolk County Police are warning both students and parents that consequences of making those threats will be serious.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart and Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron will host a press conference at the Suffolk County Police Academy in Brentwood on Monday morning.

"While school threats are often a hoax, students can still face criminal charges," police said. "Keeping students safe is at the forefront of the department’s responsibility and preventing the threats through education is equally as important."

Center Moriches School District Superintendent Dr. Ronald Masera will also attend the event; one of those threats was made in the Center Moriches area last week.

A "threatening message" was posted on social media by a student from Center Moriches, according to Masera.

On Thursday night, Masera posted a message for Center Moriches families, explaining that the district contacted Suffolk County Police, who responded to the threat and investigated, he said.

"At present the SCPD has informed us that there is no credible threat and have advised us to resume normal activity at our secondary campus," Masera said.

However, out of an "abundance of caution," there was police presence at the high school Friday, he said.

Safety of students and staff is the highest priority and such matters are handled with the utmost seriousness, Masera said.