Nassau County Police, Schools Respond To 'Unrealistic' Bomb Threat
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County schools were on alert Monday following a troubling threat made just days before Thanksgiving.
Nassau County Police increased patrols and physically visited every school campus Monday after authorities received a call Sunday from a man who reported hearing another unidentified man say he planned to "put bombs in every school in Nassau and set them to go off tomorrow."
Police said the threat was "unconfirmed and seems unrealistic."
Despite the threat's lack of credibility, authorities still felt the need to reassure both students and parents alike.
"We clearly did not want to alarm parents, " said Nassau County Chief of Police Steven Skyrnecki in a press conference Monday. "We don't think this is a credible threat but at the same time we're walking that fine line of keeping people informed," he added.
Some schools emailed and texted in the middle of the night, others made automatic calls letting parents and students know of the anonymous countywide threat.
Students were understandably concerned.
"It's kind of scary to know there is someone out there who might think of doing stuff like that," said Mineola High School Senior Sean Kelly.
"Especially around the holiday time I don't think that it's the most comforting thing to hear," added senior Brianna Lopes.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, Nassau County police are trading information with Suffolk County and the New York City Police Department as their investigation continues.
Nassau County Police advise residents to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS to report any suspicious activity. Police say residents should call 911 in the event of an immediate threat.