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Westchester Schools Exercising 'Increased Vigilance' After 911 Threat

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - School districts in Westchester are exercising increased vigilance following an unspecified, vague threat targeting an unnamed school in the county on Thursday does not "appear credible," according to county police.

Westchester County police are actively investigating the threat, but it does not appear to be credible, according to a police spokesman.

Westchester County police are actively investigating the threat, but it does not appear to be credible, according to a police spokesman.

Photo Credit: Westchester County Police

Westchester County Police spokesman Kieran O'Leary said on Thursday afternoon that the New York City Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 6 a.m. from a person making a non-specific threat against a Westchester school. No specific school or community was referenced.

O'Leary said that county police are actively investigating the threat, but it does not appear to be credible.

Bedford Central Schools Superintendent Chris Manno said the district is "continuing with normal operations while at the same time exercising increased vigilance" as recommended by the county police.

"Administrators and staff have been instructed that if anyone sees anything out of the ordinary to call the police," Manno said. "We suggest the same for community members. Our local police departments will increase patrols of our campuses and will conduct a walk-through of each building.

Local police departments were notified of the threat, and some increased patrols around schools or performed canine sweeps to ensure student and staff safety. No incidents or oddities were reported. 

Mount Pleasant Schools Superintendent Susan Guiney alerted parents to the threat on Thursday afternoon, noting that the school district is taking precautions to ensure the safety of their staff and students.

"The buildings have been secured to a single point of entry," she said in a statement. "In addition, local police continue to patrol our campuses. The community and staff have been asked to report anything suspicious to their local police agency." 

In Chappaqua, Schools Superintendent Christine Ackerman noted that "in an abundance of caution, we will have an extra police presence at our schools, and our sports teams have been placed temporarily in the gym as a canine search team conducts a sweep of our grounds." 

Said Manno: "Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors."

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