Threats to Long Beach, Valley Stream schools prompt police patrols

Nassau County police added increased patrols outside Long Beach and Valley Stream schools Tuesday afternoon after a social media threat led to lockouts at district campuses.

In Long Beach, police were investigating a message that mentioned "Long Beach High" as a potential target for threatened violence, Assistant Superintendent Michael DeVito said in an email to parents and staff. 

The Valley Stream Central School District announced a districtwide lockdown Tuesday at high schools and middle schools following a separate internet threat.

Both districts canceled after-school activities Tuesday. 

Nassau police could not say if the threats were related or provide any details regarding suspects in either case.

Both Long Beach and Valley Stream school district officials said neither threat appeared credible. 

Long Beach High School lifted its lockout, which had allowed activities inside the school to continue, but forbade anyone from entering or leaving the building.

"At this point we do not believe that the threat is credible," DeVito said in the email.

Police vehicles were also stationed in nearby neighborhoods in Lido Beach.

All students were allowed to take buses home and staff waited at the school for any students picked up by parents. 

Long Beach elementary school activities continued because, district officials said, "the threat was not aimed in any way at elementary students."

Tamar Gillan said she went to pick up her child at Long Beach Middle School and became concerned when she didn't see police present. 

"I think every threat should be taken seriously," she said.

Valley Stream district officials searched all bags upon students' arrival. Students at Valley Stream North and South high schools were kept inside during lunch period. The district also increased security and were joined by Nassau County specialized patrols. 

Schools in Valley Stream would start under lockout Wednesday and asked students to leave bags at home and carry laptops separately. High School students in Valley Stream will be kept inside Wednesday with additional police and security planned, officials said. 

Police told school officials that similar threats have been made to other districts,

Police across Long Island have been investigating threats to various school districts for the past week, including at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington and at two schools in the Copiague district.

Suffolk County police charged a 13-year-old boy Monday with making threats against Copiague Middle School, while police were still investigating a separate bomb threat against the high school.

Police have not found any of the threats to be credible and did not say if they were related to Long Beach.