Police investigate threats at NY, Hyde Park schools

HYDE PARK, Vt. (WCAX) - Authorities Thursday investigated another rash of school swatting threats aimed at New York schools, as well as an unrelated threat at Lamoille Union Middle School in Hyde Park. All were found to not be credible.

Police say swatting calls sent three New York schools in our region into lockdown after threats of an active shooter. The calls targetted Plattsburgh High School, Franklin Academy in Malone, and Massena Central High School.

According to New York State Police, all the calls were fake. Officials say a swatting call is a fake 911 call intended to scare people.

“There will be some students and parents, and staff members who are taken back by what happened today -- it’s a scary thing. The good thing is it was a hoax,” said Malone Central School District Interim Superintendent Stan Maziejka.

Police say they are working with the FBI to investigate and determine where the calls came from. They say there will be an increased police presence at schools Friday and in surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, in what appears to be an unrelated incident, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department says they received information late Wednesday evening from an anonymous source of a threat. They say they are working with school officials to investigate but that the threat is also deemed not credible.

Officials say all students are safe and that there will be a heightened law enforcement presence on the campus until further notice.

Related Stories:

Police dealing with more school ‘swatting’ calls in our region, across the country

Investigation continues into origin of Vt. swatting hoax

Vt. school safety bill would mandate statewide policies

Vt. authorities call school swatting hoax an act of ‘terrorism’

Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.