By Doug La Rocque
A social media post (snapchat) by a 17 year old student at Berlin MS/HS on Thursday, February 15, was brought to the attention of school officials by another student at the school and deemed to be a possible threat against the school. The administration immediately notified the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department who responded along with NYS Police. The perceived threat came just as the school was starting to dismiss for the day. Coming one day after the Parkland, Fl. school shooting, the incident raised both concern and fear for their children’s safety from parents and the entire community. Law enforcement quickly contacted the student responsible for the post and determined there was no credible threat to the school, students or administrators. The student was placed under arrest as a result of the investigation, charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the third Degree-alleged occurrence creating a public alarm. According to Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo, the name of the student is not being released because of the age. The student was arraigned and release in the custody of parents.
John Leahy of Grafton was one parent who reached out to The Eastwick Press to express some concern over what he felt was a lack of followup communication on the part of school and law enforcement officials, giving him some hesitation as to the wisdom of sending his child to school the next day. Mr. Leahy says he also understands that school officials have to make the best decisions they can under difficult circumstances and decided to trust the authorities, sending his child on to school.
Berlin School Board President Frank Zwack says the school sent out a voice message to all who are listed in their system, alerting parents that the threat had been made, and that there was no further danger. The school also followed that up with a letter explaining the incident, their response and subsequent follow-up and that as a precaution there was a police presence at the school the following day. This letter was emailed to parents, posted on the school’s website and on its facebook page. Mr. Zwack says anyone who feels they should have had access to the letter and did not, should contact the school to make sure they are on the list for any further communications.
It should also be noted the school’s safety committee had met earlier that day to review their policies and procedures in light of just such an emergency as a result of the Parkland tragedy.