Social Media Confusion Led To Perceived Threat At Middletown HS: Cops

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown High School had an increased police presence Thursday morning after social media confusion led to calls about a perceived threat that was actually from another municipality, police said.

Police were adamant that the increased patrols were for comfort and assurance and that no public safety issues were present.

Just after midnight Thursday, Middletown police were contacted regarding a social media post that "appeared" to be threatening Middletown High School.

After investigating the matter, police determined that the threat was not a credible one and the threat was actually from a previous social media post investigated by Bridgeport police that led to an arrest. Bridgeport police said that, at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, they arrested a juvenile who made an online threat to the Bridgeport public schools. Schools in Bridgeport were delayed two hours and police increased their presence at the schools as a precaution, officials said.

In Middletown Thursday, police said, "We will increase our presence at the (high) school for the safety and comfort of students and teachers but there are no public safety concerns."

It was the second case of social media confusion regarding local schools in just more than a week. On Sept. 11, local police received a call about a "threat" to Middletown schools that was actually made in Middletown, RI. That threat was also not credible in the neighboring state, the superintendent said.