Officials: Social media post not a threat to William Floyd

An investigation Friday morning determined a social media threat involving a “menacing” photo and “alluding to a non-specific threat” against the William Floyd School District to be unfounded, Suffolk County police said.

Assistant Police Commissioner Justin Meyers said in a statement: “Investigators determined there is no threat and no danger to students,” but said that, as a precaution, police have increased patrols in the district. The nature of the threat was unclear.

The district, also in a statement, said the original social media post was “traced back to another community.” The community was not specified.

In the district statement, William Floyd spokesman James Montalto said: “Apparently, one of our students shared this post with the wording, ‘It’s nothing, a kid was joking around. It’s fake.’ The post began circulating and misinformation began to spread.”

The district said in its statement that some students who saw the post “immediately notified their parents, coaches, teachers and other trusted adults.” That led to police involvement.

Just before 9 a.m., a post on the district’s Facebook page advised callers about subsequent technical difficulties reaching the district. “We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our phone system and are unable to receive outside calls, which we believe is a result of an influx of calls,” the district said. “We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.”

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”