Nassau County officials address school threats, triple last year’s numbers

To address the 80 school threats made on Long Island — more than triple the amount from last school year — the Nassau County Police Department promoted by County Executive Bruce Blakeman is planning to take extensive measures to protect the over 400 schools in the county.

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our children, especially when they’re going to school,” Blakeman said at the David S. Mack Training and Intelligence Center on Oct. 1.

The police are anticipating employing advanced intelligence, analytics and other measures to protect the over 400 schools in the county.

Blakeman urged the public to always report and call 911, when they see something suspicious. He also wants parents to talk to their children about reporting suspicious activity/behavior.

“We take threats serious, and it’s a crime, you have tot talk to your children about using that kind of language,” he said. “If they hear that kind of language in school, they have to report it immediately.”

Police officers are visiting each school daily, and are strategically placed around the county to respond quickly to any threat, Blakeman said.

The Rave App has been installed in all schools across Long Island. The Rave App is a panic button that schools can use in the event that there is an incident and bypass 911, Blakeman noted. Once activated, the Rave App notifies police and they are dispatched to the school. 

“It dispatches the cops quicker to the schools,” NCPD Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

Under Blakeman, the county has hired 200 new police officers in the past two years to help ensure safety and security across the county.

“70 percent of school shootings are over in three to five minutes, 40 percent of the 70 are over in two minutes,” Ryder said. “Response time in Nassau County to any call is one to three minutes, this is about timing.”

School are equipped with abilities to help slow the shooter down, such as a mantrap and bulletproof glass, officials said.

“Everyone of our cars is equipped with ¾ a sledge hammer, halogen tool, tactical vest and helmet, chocking device, defibrillator, stop the bleed,” Ryder said. “Every one of our officers has no reason to stop and wait for any body else, it’s one and go.”

Ryder urges the public to “report do not repost”, and to always call 911 no matter what.

Though the publication U.S. World News Report identified Nassau as the safest county in the country, Blakeman said Nassau cannot be too comfortable.

“That concerns me because we cannot be complacent, we can’t rest on our laurels,” he said.