Threat made to Baldwin High School, parents urged not to spread misinformation

Threats made to Baldwin High School did not affect school today, as classes and  activities went on as scheduled. 

Parents were also urged by the Baldwin UFSD district to not spread false information online.

A Snapchat image of a handgun with the words, “Tomorrow is the day at 12 p.m. Baldwin High School I’m coming for revenge,” began circulating in a student group chat causing concern last night, but ultimately no harm was done.

Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun said: “Officers continue to intensify patrols in and around schools (and the) investigation (is) ongoing.” Lebrun is commander of Nassau County Police Department's Public Information Office.

Baldwin Superintendent Shari Camhi has requested that parents look only to the district for information as opposed to social media.

“I am asking for your help in telling your children and other community members to stop using social media to spread false information,' she said in a prepared statement. "I cannot iterate enough to please educate your children on appropriate social media and internet use and monitor their online activity. We do not want this to become the ‘new normal.’”

Camhi also noted how damaging a threat can be to a student’s life, since it will follow them wherever they go in life.

“Please help us teach our children that this type of behavior is unacceptable and can negatively impact their lives and future," she said in that statement. "Even when a threat is not credible, the incident still engenders tremendous stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff, disturbs school schedules and classes, and hurts our students’ overall learning experience.”

Emily Pflum,a social media analyst with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, spoke recently at the NCPD School Safety Seminar about how incriminating threats made online can be.

“As a social media analyst, it's my job to do all kinds of social media investigation," she said. "So, we want to reiterate (to) kids or any of those who apply for a job, or apply to college, they have people like me, who specialized in social media who look up her name all day long researching you, and what goes on there it’s there forever…we are keeping tabs on who’s making threats.”

Threats made, even by minors, can lead to an arrest and a charge of terroristic threats. The rise of social media has exacerbated the copycat threat phenomenon, which usually lasts for two weeks after a shooting. From behind the computer screen teenagers now more than ever are saying things that they would never say in public. Recent threats were also made at neighboring schools such as Westbury High School, Uniondale High School and Riverhead High School.

Camhi also asked parents to speak up if they see more threats. “If you or your child(ren) become aware of any potential threat on social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member or trusted adult immediately," she said. "We will work with law enforcement to the full extent of the law.”