Police: 'No unusual incidents' at LI schools after TikTok challenge encourages threats

Nassau and Suffolk police increased their presence at Long Island schools Friday and were on heightened alert, reacting to a nationwide threat that originated on TikTok but that authorities called not credible.

Officers visited schools as an extra precaution, but by the end of the day, both counties' police departments said there were no unusual incidents and any threats were unfounded.

Nassau police had planned to visit each of the 450 school buildings in the county.

Hank Grishman, superintendent of the Jericho school system, said the extra presence of police around the schools "helped ease our concerns."

Grishman lamented the increasing number of threats on social media.

"The number of threats on social media – kids to kids and kids to adults – is clearly on the increase," Grishman said. "We sent a letter home asking parents to please have conversations with their kids about social media."

He added, "In the old days, there would be prank calls about bomb scares and the pulling of the fire alarm. Social media has made it easier to do things and remain anonymous."

Baldwin Superintendent Shari Camhi said district officials had spoken to police and seen an increased police presence around schools. She also sent a letter to parents alerting them to the incident.

Camhi criticized TikTok for allowing the challenge to post.

"Social media companies should be responsible for what they allow to be posted," Camhi said. "We all have a responsibility to protect one another and they're not doing their share."

Social media's responsibility

Although the mood in the schools was largely normal Friday, the school superintendent said, the challenge has given school officials "a heightened sense. We have a responsibility to protect our students, faculty and staff."

Beyond that, it added that stress while COVID-19 already has everyone on edge.

"This year has been trying for everybody, and this does not help our emotional wellness," Camhi said. "This doesn't help kids feel safe."

Camhi questioned why anyone would put out such a challenge.

"It's not funny," she said. "There are people who think they can say anything. I think we've gotten away from feeling socially responsible for one another."

TikTok officials posted a message on Twitter addressing the challenge.

"We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok," the company said in a statement.

'Please do not be alarmed'

Long Beach Superintendent Jennifer Gallagher also sent a letter to the school community, saying police were increasing their presence around schools.

"There have been no specific threats against our schools, thank goodness, but it’s comforting to know that our Long Beach and Nassau County police will both be close by tomorrow at our schools," Gallagher wrote. "If you see police cars on or near campus, please do not be alarmed; they are doing what they always do so well — helping us keep our community safe!"

Police were stationed outside Silas Wood Sixth Grade Center in Huntington Station and other schools on Friday morning to patrol while parents and buses dropped off students.

"The Suffolk County Police Department is monitoring social media threats that have been shared on TikTok. The threat is not specific to Suffolk County and at this time, the threat does not appear to be credible," Suffolk police said in a statement.

"Suffolk County Police Officers will be on heightened awareness due to these posts and we are urging everyone to report suspicious activity by calling 911."

Threats aim to disrupt classes

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said authorities were unsure where the threats originated and said it was nearly impossible to contact social media companies to have threats removed online.

About 20 districts in Nassau and Suffolk said they had notified parents of increased police presence on Friday though threats did not appear to be credible. Those districts had not reported any widespread drops in attendance Friday, according to Jake Mendlinger of ZE Creative Communications.

Ryder said Thursday that threats like the TikTok video were aimed at disrupting classes and attracting attention.

"These kids pushing out threats have no idea what they’re getting into. They want it to interrupt the school process," Ryder said. "Now we’re dealing with chasing our tail constantly with reports going out there from town to town and state to state and we don’t know where it starts."

About 75% of school shootings last three to five minutes, Ryder said. But if police are responding to false threats, officers may not be able to respond during that time, he said.

Nassau County police have done 23,000 school visits this year, including 3,700 visits in the past month. Police made 366 visits to schools on Tuesday this week for unfounded threats.

Police mandate officers visit a school at least once a day, Ryder said.

Police were urging parents and students not to share the online threats, which often contain stock photos of weapons, that are aimed at disrupting schools and spreading disinformation.

By Craig Schneider

craig.schneider@newsday.com,john.asbury@newsday.comScraigo,

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.