CLARKSTOWN, NY – Police in Rockland County responded to a bomb threat at a Clarksville elementary school on Thursday which was found to be a swatting incident intended to send police on a wild goose chase.
The threat also forced the evacuation of students as a cold winter storm was passing through.
According to police, an unidentified individual called New City Elementary School staff at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, stating that there was a bomb in the school. After the phone call abruptly ended, the Clarkstown Police Department was notified.
Upon arriving on scene, the first responding officers observed students being evacuated from the building and placed on school buses in order to be transported safely.
A perimeter was established by the police and several surrounding agencies were notified, requesting the use of their K9 officers due to the size of the building. The Ramapo Police Department, the RC Sheriff’s Department, and the NYSP joined our K9’s in a search of the school and its surrounding area. Additionally, our UAV (drone) Unit and uniformed personnel conducted an exterior search of the school. As a result of a comprehensive search of the New City Elementary School, it has been determined that no devices have been found inside the school or on the school grounds.
“The Clarkstown Police Department takes the safety of our children very seriously. Our focus is on the safety and security of the school children and staff, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. We will continue to work in close collaboration with the administration of CCSD to ensure the safety of our schools,” the department said.