Schools, police tighten security today after unconfirmed social media threat by Hamas

Friday the 13th arrives to find suburban schools on edge, at the end of a school week that was short on days but full of anxiety.

In the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas, social media has roiled with threats and rumors. One threat, apparently made by Hamas on social media, calling for worldwide jihad today, has been investigated but not confirmed by the FBI and local law enforcement, but has prompted some local school districts to increase their police presence.

The FBI on Tuesday issued a public service announcement, titled: "Situation in Israel."

"While we continue to collect and analyze intelligence from a variety of sources," it read, "we do not currently have specific intelligence reflecting additional attack planning against the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks in Israel which began on Oct. 7, 2023. However, foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters remain committed to attacking the United States within and beyond our borders."

Westchester County Police said Thursday it will increase patrols around schools and Jewish houses of worship on Friday. That includes the five districts where the agency provides school resource officers — Lakeland, Hendrick Hudson, Somers, North Salem and Katonah-Lewisboro — and in Mount Kisco and Cortlandt, where it provides municipal police services.

In a news release, county police said they will be working with all of Westchester’s municipal police departments, "which are taking similar precautions tomorrow in their respective communities. These steps are being taken in an abundance of caution. There is no specific threat to Westchester County at this time."

Superintendents spread the word

Several superintendents, including in Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, Scarsdale, Edgemont, Irvington and White Plains, emailed their school communities Thursday, discussing security plans.

In White Plains, Superintendent Joseph Ricca wrote that his district is collaborating with law enforcement and is "continuously monitoring for any potential threats and can respond swiftly, if necessary." The district also works with security consultants, Ricca wrote, "who provide expertise and guidance in assessing and improving our security measures."

He added: "You may notice increased police presence in and around district facilities, this is part of our overall approach to safety and security and does not indicate any potential threat."

A similar email was sent by Irvington's Acting Superintendent Joel Adelberg, who laid out his district's security protocols — which were nearly identical to Ricca's — and wrote: "We recognize that during times like this there is misinformation and inappropriate messaging being shared routinely on social media. While it is important to remain vigilant, our actions must be guided by reliable intelligence, best practices, and common sense."

Adelberg wrote that law enforcement officials "have asserted that there are currently no active, credible threats to New York State, including those mentioned on recent social media posts."

Social media targeted

In Pleasantville, Superintendent Tina DeSa wrote to her community late Thursday: "Although law enforcement is aware of the call for potential protests tomorrow, October 13, 2023, at this time no specific threat of violence has been made. As a result, vigilance and continued cooperation will be our approach. The Pleasantville Police Department has committed to being visible and active in our community, especially at the schools and school events."

DeSa took aim at the role social media has played in the week since war broke out in Israel.

"We advise all families to speak with your children about avoiding any content on social media that highlights the violence overseas," she wrote. "We recommend deleting these apps on your child’s phone, especially if they are in middle or elementary school."

Mount Pleasant Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo wrote to his community at midday Thursday. He said there would be increased police presence at district schools Friday and likewise addressed the use of social media.

"The events, including graphic images and videos, have been widely covered by the media as well as on various social media platforms. Social media use and monitoring is a family decision. However, in light of the news that increasingly disturbing images and videos may be released on social media in the coming days and weeks, we ask you to be extra vigilant and if you deem appropriate, consider opening conversations with your children to discuss what they may be seeing on social media."

'A police presence will be noticed'

In Rockland, Clarkstown Schools Superintendent Marc Baiocco said Thursday: "In addition to our school resource officers in our schools, the Clarkstown Police Department will be activating Operation Omnipresence, which will result in increasing patrols in and around the schools — a police presence will be noticed."

He continued: "While there are no credible threats to New York State, Rockland County or Clarkstown at this time, we are actively monitoring this situation."

A change in tone

The rising tension in schools this week can be seen in the tone of communications as the week wore on.

On Tuesday, Kenneth Hamilton, superintendent of Edgemont school district, wrote to his school community, in part:

“The ongoing war in Israel can evoke strong fear and anxiety among our diverse community, as innocent lives are lost, and communities are torn apart. Feelings of loss, fear and chaos are pronounced in our community where many have ties to this region of the world. … When we work as one, we can overcome difficult moments and emerge stronger than ever. In Edgemont, All Means All.”

On Thursday afternoon, Hamilton wrote to the Edgemont community again, with a dramatically darker tone.

“My heart is so heavy. Words continue to fail to express the depth of my sorrow and grief. With increased frequency, social media is spewing horrible images and extremely disturbing information.

“Regretfully, I am writing to share that the FBI is aware of a statement attributed to Hamas related to Friday, October 13, 2023, as a day that poses a possible threat to schools and houses of worship related to Judaism.

“Although the FBI has shared that there is no credible threat to U.S. schools, and we have no reason to believe that there is any threat to Edgemont, out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing police presence at all three campuses.”

Naming the threat

In Scarsdale on Thursday, Eric K. Rauschenbach, the assistant superintendent for special education and student services, made specific mention of the Hamas threat.

"On October 10, 2023, Hamas issued an official statement designating Friday, October 13, 2023, a day of action titled 'the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood,'" he wrote. "They called on the international community to voice solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause by engaging in mass gatherings. A video has also surfaced featuring a founding member and former Hamas leader praising the recent attack and calling on everyone to mobilize. He stated that jihad is everyone's duty and an individual responsibility."

Rauschenbach said there was no specific threat to Scarsdale, but said Scarsdale Police would increase patrols around school buildings and that school safety monitors will be more vigilant in their patrols.

"The proliferation of threats on social media in general, and this one in particular, has created a new problem in our lives," Rauschenbach wrote. "We are challenged to simultaneously make meaning for ourselves while guiding our children to process information like this in as emotionally healthy way as possible. These are daunting tasks. However, the most important protective factors we can give our children are positive and trusting relationships and a community that cares for one another."

Antisemitic incident at Greeley

In Chappaqua, Superintendent Christine Ackerman wrote on Tuesday that there had been a "second antisemitic incident at Horace Greeley High School in the past few days." She did not specify the nature of the incidents in her note to the district's families and staff.

"I cannot reiterate strongly enough that antisemitism, hate speech, and discrimination have no place in our school community," she wrote Tuesday. "We are investigating today’s incident, and will make every effort to discover who is responsible, so that we may hold them accountable through our Code of Conduct. Hate will not be tolerated in our school district."

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lower Hudson schools increase security amid Hamas social media threats