A false threat prompted a heavy police response and lockdowns at Penn Yan schools Thursday morning, with investigators later determining there was no credible threat to students or staff, according to the Penn Yan Central School District.
The response also affected Dundee Central School, St. Michael School and Emmanuel Baptist Academy, which were placed in lockdown or lockout status while authorities investigated, according to a joint release from the Penn Yan Police Department and Yates County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oct. 22 report involved Penn Yan’s high school, middle school and elementary school. Officers from multiple agencies, assisted by K-9 teams and school staff, systematically searched all three buildings.
Authorities found no active threat to students, staff or the community. All affected schools were released from lockdown or lockout status after the searches were completed and the buildings were cleared. Parents were advised of pickup locations for their children.
In its follow-up statement, the district said investigators determined the incident was a “swatting” call — a false emergency report intended to trigger an immediate law enforcement response.
Penn Yan police led the investigation with support from New York State Police and the Yates County Sheriff’s Office.
The district said other New York schools had recently reported similar threats, including Lowville Academy and Central School and Indian Lake Central School.
School officials thanked responding agencies and families for their cooperation, saying investigators needed time to thoroughly check the buildings despite the disruption and heavy police presence.
The investigation into the source of the reported threat remains ongoing, according to the joint release. The district directed additional questions to the Penn Yan Police Department.
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