Wallenpaupack threats deemed 'not credible'; East Stroudsburg South students searched

Schools in northeast Pennsylvania are investigating threats made the day after a rash of hoax threats were made against schools across the commonwealth.

The investigation into threats against Wallenpaupack Area School District concluded Thursday afternoon.

"We were made aware of an anonymous threat made on a social media site yesterday and began working in collaboration with the state police to investigate the concerns. Parents were notified last evening of this concern. The presence of local and state law enforcement agencies was requested, and substitute school police officers and district administrators were placed within the high school to augment the current staff. The investigation went through the night and into this morning and concluded with threats being unfounded. Both the online post and the potential threat listed on the post were found to be not credible." Wallenpaupack Area School District Superintendent Keith Gunuskey said in a statement to reporters.

According to Gunuskey, school attendance was impacted "negatively" due to the situation.

"The fact is that this type of issue has followed most school shootings across the country, and we are not immune." He continued. "Posting third party statements and reports on social media sites about dangerous acts or threats ... is not an effective way to report such a problem. We have more hotlines, apps, and reporting sites than ever before for individuals to make their concerns known without causing community anxiety and frustration.

"We take all potential threats seriously and will follow up on any and all leads. We are asking families to help guide their children in making responsible reports by contacting the school or using Safe2Say." Gunuskey said. "Safety is our number one priority."

The threat was made the same day a series of phone calls were being made to 9-1-1 centers throughout Pennsylvania involving threats of active shooters or bombs.

Calls were made to several schools in different counties, PSP notes, though all have had similar content. Police are investigating and responding to all of these calls.

Lockdowns and evacuations were reported across the state, along with responses from police and emergency services. Trooper Robert Urban of PSP Troop R reported no threats or lockdowns to school districts had been made throughout their coverage area, which includes Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties.

East Stroudsburg Area School District investigates Safe2Say tip

Stroud Area Regional Police, Stroud Twp. Police, Pennsylvania State Police and school police were reportedly investigating a Safe2Say tip regarding a potential threat against East Stroudsburg South high school on Thursday morning.

Students and visitors were subject to metal detector screening and bag searches as a result.

"Multiple Pennsylvania school districts have been impacted by threats of violence against schools over the past two days." The district said in a statement released via Facebook. "Nonetheless, in all situations, a threat is treated as an emergency until law enforcement determines its credibility. Therefore, we follow our polices, procedures, and protocols for responding to such threats."

East Stroudsburg Area School District grappled with another threat in February, after a reports of a handwritten message threatening a school shooting were investigated by police. PSP Trooper Anthony Petroski noted the school reached out to state police for assistance in that situation, and a student was found to be responsible for the messages, which were deemed "not credible." That student will face a juvenile allegation ― essentially a criminal complaint for minors ― for terroristic threats.

ESASD school board president Richard Schlameuss said he trusts the security staff to ensure the safety of the district's children.

"I know they are absolute professionals and they take every threat seriously. The Safe2Say program is incredibly helpful and is absolutely viewed and action is taken by our security staff when we receive any anonymous tips." Schlameuss said. "Not only am I the school board president, but I am also a parent of children that saw the threat at school and questioned 'am I safe at school?'"

"Not only do I have to reassure them, but I also need to reassure myself." He continued, noting that students walked through metal detectors and bags were searched.

"If anything had been found or staff felt any concerns that couldn't be handled, a decision would have been made to close the school. The school was safe. I have faith and confidence in our security and our district staff."

What is Safe2Say?

Safe2Say Something, Pennsylvania's school threat reporting program, was first rolled out in early 2019.

The program's website, located at safe2saypa.org, allows concerned citizens to make anonymous tips to protect young Pennsylvanians. Safe2Say also has its own smartphone app.

After a tip is made, a crisis team evaluates the threat and may or may not reach out to the tipster for more detail. All threats are submitted to school districts and law enforcement for proper intervention. You can follow up on a tip by entering in a report ID.

The program received 26,174 tips in the 2021-2022 school year, excluding false reports and test tips. The program's annual report for the school year measured tips made at Intermediate Units in Pennsylvania.

Colonial IU 20, which serves Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties, reported 1700 tips made. Only three other IU schools reported more tips.

During the 2021–2022 school year, the Safe2Say Something Program received a total of 1,053 tips that were deemed to be false reports or prank tips.

Pocono Record writer Brian Myszkowski contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: East Stroudsburg, Wallenpaupack Area schools investigating threats