School addresses string of safety concerns

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains Central School District dealt with a trio of safety issues over the latter half of last week, including two bomb threats and a “lockout†situation.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, a note regarding a bomb threat was found in one of the bathrooms at Stissing Mountain Middle/High School. The New York State Police and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office arrived on school grounds and swept the building with a canine unit, reporting there was no threat. Students were evacuated off site during law enforcement’s search of the premises.

Two days later, at approximately 8:47 a.m. on Friday, March 12, all district buildings went into lockout mode due to police activity in the area. The lockout was lifted approximately 45 minutes later.

Deputy T.J. Hanlon of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office explained that law enforcement was looking for a person of interest within the district boundaries.

“We had received a good intent call saying a subject may have been having a psychiatric emergency,†Hanlon said. “At no time were the students at any risk, and the call turned out to be unfounded.â€

Finally, at 10:45 a.m. the same morning a note was found in the hallway at Seymour Smith Elementary School reading: “I have a bomb in my backpack.†The sheriff’s office was called and students were transported to the Stissing Mountain Middle/High School gymnasium while law enforcement conducted its investigation. At approximately 2:20 p.m. law enforcement reported the building had been cleared, and students were transported back to the school where they were dismissed at approximately 2:45 p.m.

A letter sent home to parents from Seymour Smith Elementary Principal Richard Azoff explained that the district believes the bomb threat was a prank.

The principal elaborated to remind parents and students that it is a criminal act to make any kind of bomb threat in a public school. Public schools, police and fire officials can recover from parents the costs incurred in responding to a false bomb threat made by a juvenile, the letter explained. Anyone with information regarding either of last week’s bomb threats is asked to contact the district office at 518-398-7181, ext. 401.

Hanlon said the three incidents were all unrelated; the police will continue to investigate.

“Such an incident, while unfortunate, demonstrates that our school buildings are safe and that our administration, faculty, staff and students can respond and cooperate in an emergency,†wrote Azoff.

District Superintendent Linda Kaumeyer declined to comment for this article, instead directing inquires to a series of posts on the district’s Web site, ppcsd.org.

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