Police Chief: “This was the best possible outcome”
Westport Police Department:At approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning, the Westport Police Department’s School Security Officer and the Staples School Resource Officer began to investigate a report of a suspicious person on school grounds. An unknown male who appeared to be in his teens was dropped off at Bedford Middle School, but the person then left that campus and walked towards Staples High School. The incident was deemed suspicious because at the time no one recognized this individual, and it was unknown what he was doing on school property. Out of an abundance of caution, the school’s superintendent placed both Bedford Middle School and Staples High School in a shelter in place status.
Several patrol officers responded to make sure the students at both schools were kept safe and to look for this unknown person. Westport detectives also went to the scene and worked with school officials to attempt to identify the party. It was ultimately determined that the person in question was in fact a Staples student. The student was simply running late and after managing to get a ride to Bedford, he walked over to Staples.
Chief Koskinas said that “this was the best possible outcome” and further stated that the timely resolution of this incident is a testament to the excellent working relationship that the police department has with the school system.”
Superintendent: Police Activity Caused by Bus Company Miscommunications, Student Missing Bus
1:01 UPDATE - Superintendent Thomas Scarice:Good afternoon,
As a follow up message to the events earlier this morning, I would like to provide the community with clear and accurate information. I would also like to note that at no time were our students and staff in danger. The shelter in place, and coordination with the Westport Police Department, was done effectively and efficiently and the matter was resolved.
Earlier this morning a student who missed their bus walked to the Dattco bus yard and requested a ride to Bedford Middle School (BMS). Personnel at the Dattco bus yard mobilized to provide transportation for this student. Sometime thereafter, personnel at the Dattco bus yard contacted the school district's transportation coordinator to inform the coordinator about their plan to transport the student and, unfortunately, provided incomplete and inaccurate information regarding the student's identity and school. Our transportation coordinator immediately contacted the BMS and central office administration.
The administration then swiftly contacted our Westport Police Department School Security Officer (SSO) and School Resource Officer (SRO), and the Staples administration. After investigating to determine the identity and location of the student through video surveillance our SRO discovered that the student was dropped off at Bedford Middle School, but then left the bus and walked towards Staples High School. As a precaution, our SSO and SRO then sought additional resources from the Westport Police Department. Both schools were placed in a shelter-in-place.
Through collaboration with the school and district administration, the student was then correctly identified, interviewed, and it was determined that the shelter-in-place could be lifted.
The administration is committed to identifying the breakdown of the Dattco bus yard communication and protocols in this incident.
Again, I have complete confidence that at no time were our students and staff in danger. Additionally, it is clear that the positive and collaborative relationship we enjoy with the Westport Police Department, and the swift actions of our Bedford and Staples administration, along with our transportation coordinator and central office administration, all contributed to the timely resolution of this matter.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent
Superintendent: Staples and Bedford Campuses Shelter in Place while Police Investigate Possible Person on Campus
Superintendent Thomas Scarice: UPDATE 10:35 AM
“I would like to provide an immediate update to the community. Immediately after calling for a shelter in place, the Westport Police Department swiftly dispatched all resources to the Staples/Bedford campus, while also maintaining the capacity to respond to all schools if necessary. I was personally assured of this by our Police Chief. Police resources are all over our campus and school buildings. We will remain in a shelter in place until there is final resolution established in collaboration with the Westport Police Department.”
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT 10:14 AM
Good morning,
Moments ago, as a precaution, and in collaboration with the Westport Police Department, the school district put Staples high school in Bedford middle school in a shelter in place. A report came to the districts attention of a potential person on campus that warranted this response. All students and staff are secure and we will report back to the community when the matter is completely resolved.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools