Georgia school shootings, West Babylon threat rekindle worries among Long Island parents
Freshman Ester Matias and a woman tend to flowers at a makeshift memorial on Thursday at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. Two students and two teachers were shot and killed at the school on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images / Jessica McGowan
Long Island parents said they're once again worried about school shootings, and talking to their kids about them, following the deadly attack at a Georgia high school and the arrest of a Lindenhurst teen accused of threatening to shoot people at his school.
The two incidents, both coming Wednesday and so close to the start of the school year, made clear to parents that after a relatively calm summer, school shootings continue to happen across the country, they said. The combination punch of bad news led some parents to talk to their kids about staying safe in school.
Claude Birong, of Carle Place, said he talked to his 12th- and ninth-grade sons about the Georgia shootings, but he held off mentioning them to his fourth-grade son because such talk scares him.
In Winder, Georgia, a 14-year-old student shot and killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School, authorities said. Closer to home, a 15-year-old from Lindenhurst was charged with threatening to shoot people at his school — Brennan High School in West Babylon — on the eve of the first day of classes. He had posted ominous comments in an online chat, Suffolk police said.
WHAT TO KNOW
- Long Island parents said they're once again worried about school shootings following the killings at a Georgia high school and the arrest of a Lindenhurst teen accused of threatening to shoot people at his school.
- Island school leaders said the incidents highlight the seriousness of violent threats and the consequences that can result.
- Before the shootings, about 20 Island districts had hired or were planning to hire armed guards for their campuses.
Birong's talks with his older sons were serious and to the point, he said.
"I give them instructions on what to do" if there's a school shooting, Birong said. " 'Listen to your gut. If you need to jump out a second-story window, do it. Take chances, get away.' "
A call for armed security
Birong, 49, said there should be armed police officers or retired police officers in every school building.
"The school taxes are so high on Long Island, what difference would it make to spend $150,000 on a police officer? It would be a deterrent," he said.
Noret Bazemore, of Freeport, said she plans to discuss the incidents with her two sons, ages 15 and 13.
"This kind of stuff is so frightening," Bazemore said. "I'll ask them what they know, what their friends are saying, what they see on social media. How they feel about it?"
Bazemore said she was sad to think that the long string of school shootings continues in the United States. These tragedies make her reflect on parents and how much they watch over their children, she said.
"Sometimes parents give children a little too much freedom," she said. "How do kids get ahold of a parent's gun? How does a child get ahold of a handgun to bring to school?"
LI school leaders speak out
Island school leaders said these incidents highlight the seriousness of violent threats and the consequences that can result.
"Violent threats, made online or in person, are completely unacceptable, even if students claim they are joking," said Riverhead interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich. "We also encourage families to express this message to their children at home."
Riverhead is among about 20 Island districts that have hired or are planning to hire armed guards for their campuses.
South Huntington added armed guards last year.
"I think this reaffirms we are doing everything we can to protect students, leaving no stone unturned," said South Huntington schools Deputy Superintendent Edwin Smith.
He said that at the school board meeting Wednesday night, a moment of silence was held for the Georgia victims.
Babylon Superintendent Carisa Manza sent a message to the school community, citing the two incidents.
"Please note that the safety, health and welfare of our students, faculty, staff and families are the top priority throughout the Babylon School District," Manza said. "We are thankful to have an experienced, knowledgeable security staff along with a very close collaboration with our local law enforcement agencies."
The Nassau and Suffolk school superintendents associations issued a joint statement noting that Island schools develop safety and emergency response plans, and work closely with local law enforcement and emergency responders.
"As the safety and well-being of all Long Island students and staff remains our top priority, it is essential that we remain vigilant and prepared for any potential security threats," said the statement.
Suffolk County police officials said that as the school year begins, police regularly conduct high-visibility patrols around schools.
"While there are currently no credible threats in Suffolk County, the department works alongside school districts throughout the county to keep our students safe," said the department in a statement.
The Nassau police department said it also boosts patrols when schools open.
Craig Schneider is a Long Island native and Stony Brook University alumnus. He joined Newsday as a general assignment reporter in January 2018 after 20 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
