Dutchess BOCES Responds To "Internet Threat" With Lockout For All Classes - Sheriff's Office Investigates

On Friday, September 20, 2024 at 11:12am, Beacon City School District Superintendent Matthew Landahl informed district families that Dutchess BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) had received an "internet threat". "As a precautionary measure," Dr. Landahl explained, "they are implementing a lockout procedure and will be dismissing students early today, Friday, September 20, 2024. Please note, this only impacted students attending Dutchess BOCES programs, including CTI, Special Education and BETA programs. Afternoon programs and classes, including adult education, are canceled...There is no indication of a threat to our school community here in Beacon and our schools remain open."

BOCES is a public organization that was created by the New York State Legislature in 1948 to provide shared educational programs and services to school districts. There are currently 38 BOCES incorporating all but 9 of the 721 school districts in New York State. This happened at the Dutches BOCES, which is in Poughkeepsie.

Dutchess BOCES put out their own statement and published a press release from the Dutchess County Sherrif's Office providing more information.

"Earlier today," Dutchess BOCES began, "gratefully the parent of a Dutchess BOCES student alerted administration to a potential threat their child saw on social media. We know that experiences like today's incident can be very alarming. We want you to know that we followed our Emergency Response Plan, collaborated with the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, acted swiftly to secure our campus, and our plans worked. Further investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office determined the social media post appears to be a re-post of a previous threat."

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office further illuminated: "At this time, further investigation has revealed that today’s post appears to be a re-post of previous threat that has widely circulated in recent weeks, and it did not specifically reference the Dutchess BOCES. The investigation is continuing in conjunction with Dutchess BOCES. However, at this time the threat does not appear credible, no suspects have been identified, and the students and staff are safe."

If anyone has any information about today’s incident they are urged to contact Detective Griffin at 845-486-3809 or jgriffin@dutchessny.gov(link sends e-mail). The Sheriff’s Office can also be contacted via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE (2583), and all information will be kept confidential.