Nassau County Addresses Rash Of School Threats

EAST GARDEN CITY, NY — Amid a rash of threats at school in Nassau, officials gathered on Tuesday to discuss steps being taken to ensure the safety of students.

"There is nothing more important than the safety of our children, especially when they are to school," County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

He said it's important to alert police of any suspicious behavior related to schools.

"The easiest and best way for us to combat any school threat is to be aware of the threat," Blakeman said.

As for the law enforcement side, Blakeman said he hired 200 additional officers in the past two years.

Nassau police have instituted Operation Overwatch, where five patrol cars will randomly go through the county roads "to make people know they are there," Blakeman said.

Additionally, the county has installed a panic button, of sorts, in all 550 schools, which would bypass 911 in case of emergencies.

"This is about timing, trying to get before that shooter can get into the building," Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. "We assessed every one of those school buildings.

Ryder said all Nassau police vehicles are equipped with a sledgehammer, a tactical vest and helmet, "so every one of our officers has no reason to stop and wait for anybody else. The quicker you get in there [and] slow the shooter down, the more we save lives."