Social Media Post Prompts Irvington School Lockdowns: Police

IRVINGTON, NY — A social media post prompted lockdowns at two local schools on Monday, according to police and school officials.

Chief of Police Francis Pignatelli said both Irvington High School and Irvington Middle School were put on lockdown Monday as a precaution.

The move came after a social media post “raised concerns,” Pignatelli said.

Superintendent of Schools Mara Ratesic said the social media post was reported to school administration around 11:40 a.m. Monday.

The post contained a picture of a teenage student with a “threatening” caption, according to Ratesic. Officials did not provide further details.

“The student was quickly identified and subsequently questioned, and it was determined that the student did not pose a threat to our schools,” Ratesic said, in an announcement to the school community.

Police checked the schools and determined there was no credible threat, according to Pignatelli. The lockdown was lifted and normal school operations resumed later Monday.

“We take all potential threats seriously and worked closely with school officials to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff,” Pignatelli said, in a Facebook post.

Ratesic said all statements and actions that suggest a threat are taken seriously and can lead to school discipline or criminal charges.

“Any such statement comes with significant consequences, even if they are made jokingly and/or are deemed as not credible,” Ratesic said.

Ratesic asked parents to speak to students about their actions on social media and the potential ramifications.

During the lockdown, Main Street School and Dows Lane Elementary School were placed in a lock out, where students and staff remained in the building and no outside visitors were provided access, according to the superintendent.

A police investigation into the incident is ongoing. Police asked anyone with information to contact them at 914-591-8080.