FAIRFIELD -- Students were dismissed early after a tense morning when threats of violence were called into Fairfield Schools and officials ordered a lockdown.
Police chief Gary McNamara said in a press conference call that threats of violence were made to the police department and some schools. Officials secured the schools by ordering a lockdown immediately.
Earlier in the morning police received a call from a man who claimed to have killed his girlfriend. The man said that he was now on the street and had hostages and a bomb. Police are investigating to see if that threat was related to the calls to the schools.
Police later confirmed that a pipe bomb threat was called into Fairfield Warde High School, while a bomb threat was made to Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The third threat was made to Holland Hill Elementary and said that a man was coming to the school with an M16 rifle.
After several hours officials changed the lockdown to a lockout, meaning no one could leave or enter the school but within the school things relaxed a bit.
Later in the day, once all of the schools were checked, police said that they were going to investigate the incidents as swatting, or hoax threats made to get an emergency response when no real threat exists.
Officials said that everyone was better prepared to respond to the threats than they were three years ago before the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.
One student from Fairfield Ludlowe High School said students hid under desks during the lockdown.
As a result of the threats, schools were dismissed early. Police had advised parents that dismissal may take longer than usual because students would have to be escorted out of the school versus parents going in to sign their children out. There was an extra police presence at all schools through dismissal.
Police personnel from nearby town came in to assist as well.
All afternoon and evening activities were cancelled.
Schools will be open for athletic activities on Saturday.
Gov. Malloy's office says the state will provide crisis counselors for students on Monday.
Here is a statement that was posted on the district's website by the superintendent on Friday evening:
Dear Families,
I am writing to thank you for your cooperation today as we dealt with multiple potential threats to our schools and the resulting lockdown and early dismissal. School personnel, working in conjunction with police and fire department personnel, ensured that our students and staff were secure throughout the day. Although we practice and drill for emergency events such as today’s, it can be unnerving for both students and staff when such events occur unexpectedly.
As a resource, we have posted on our home page some tips for parents. In addition, should any student need assistance on Monday, we will have counseling staff available. If you believe that your child may be in need of assistance on Monday, please contact the school and let the teacher or principal know of your concerns, and we will ensure that your child receives appropriate support.
As a reminder, if you have not updated your message preferences on Infinite Campus, this is an opportunity to do so. IC is our main communication vehicle with families on days like today.
The police department has assured us that all of our schools will be safe and ready to open as of Saturday morning.
Once again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation today.
David G. Title
Superintendent of Schools
