BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Batavia City Schools closed on Friday due to threats of violence at district buildings shared on social media. In addition, all after school activities within the district are canceled Friday due to the threats.
The school district released the following statement:
Over the last few hours, it's been brought to our attention that reports of threats of violence at buildings in our district are circulating on social media. We are currently working closely with the Batavia Police Department, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to close all buildings in the district tomorrow, Friday, December 3, while the Batavia Police Department continues its investigation into whether these threats are credible.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are taking these allegations against our community very seriously. If any student or family has any information regarding the threats, we ask that you please contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350 or the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.
Anyone with information, is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350 or the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.
Similarly, the Olean City School District informed families and staff on Friday that it was switching to remote learning on Friday following an unspecified social media threat.
A statement from the district read in part:
While this appears to be tied to another school, out of an abundance of caution, all Olean schools will be remote today. There will be no bus transportation and students are NOT to report to school.
Copycat threats have been occurring around the country following a deadly high school shooting in Oxford, Michigan on Tuesday that killed four students. More than 60 schools in the Detroit area have closed this week due to social media threats. Law enforcement officials have been reminding people that making threats is a crime.
