Phone threat leads to Watkins Glen lockdown

WATKINS GLEN--During the final day of school at Watkins Glen Central School District, Thursday, June 23, a phone threat led to the district being placed on lockdown in the afternoon. According to a joint press release from the Watkins Glen Police Department and the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office, at about 12:52 p.m. a staff member from the Watkins Glen School District contacted the School Resource Officer from the Watkins Glen Police Department and advised them that the school just received a violent threat via phone.
Officers immediately responded to the school and advised the Schuyler County Communication Center of the threat and requested any and all available units in Schuyler County to respond and assist.
Officers arrived on the scene and immediately entered the school and located all students inside the building. The school was placed in a hold in place and then shortly after a full lockdown.
Officers had all students and staff congregate in a safe location with protection from police, as no active threat was determined at that time. The officers remained with the students until it was deemed safe and they were released to awaiting transportation later on.
A perimeter was quickly established by members of the Watkins Glen Police Department, Schuyler County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police.
As other resources and first responders continued to arrive on the scene, including Schuyler County Emergency Management, members of the NYSP and Schuyler County Sheriff's Office entered the school to begin clearing parts of the building.
The Steuben County Sheriff's Office also responded to provide assistance, while members of their special weapons and tactics (SWAT) formed and responded to the school as well.
As local law enforcement cleared the building, the Steuben SWAT team coordinated with the resource officers in an in-depth and final sweep of the building to escort any remaining staff and students to safety, and ensure there was no further threat.
A several-hour search of the building found no threat in the school. There were no reported injuries to any students or staff during this incident.
Responding to the incident included Hammondsport Police Department, Steuben County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Schuyler County Sheriff's Office, Schuyler County Emergency Management and the Watkins Glen Fire Department.
Watkins Glen's high school graduation was held as scheduled, Saturday morning, June 25. A heavy police presence including K-9 patrols, perimeter guards and a roof-top surveillance post were visible to attendees.