Increased police presence at Bethlehem CSD after threat

BETHLEHEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Bethlehem Central School District, there will be an increased police presence at all the schools in the district on Wednesday. This follows an anonymous phone threat that was received by the Bethlehem Police Department on Tuesday night.

The school district says that in the phone call, someone threatened to "shoot up Bethlehem High School." The caller did not identify who they were.

Police did a "sweep" of the high school early Wednesday morning with several officers and K9 patrol dogs. There will be added patrols at all the schools while the police are investigating.

The police and school district officials ask anyone with information about this incident to contact the police department at (518) 439-9973 or call 911. The school district explains that threats of violence in its schools will not be tolerated and these types of threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"We ask that all families engage in important conversations with their children about seeking out a trusted adult if they feel unsafe, hear threats of violence, or see or hear of language or behaviors that may be out of the ordinary," says the Bethlehem Central School District.