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Branford Schools, Police, Coordinate for Safe School Day on Dec. 17

Branford Public Schools (BPS) and Branford Police Department (BPD) coordinated to ensure school safety on Friday, Dec. 17, a day reportedly targeted by a social media TikTok "challenge" nationwide encouraging dangerous school disruption across the country.

On Dec. 17 in Branford, the national post was reported to have been modified and reshared to specify Branford High School (BHS) and Walsh Intermediate School (WIS). Authorities investigated the report and found the post did not require further action, according to an update issued to staff and families by Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez on Dec. 17 and published at the BPS website.

"We continue to coordinate our response and security measures directly with the Branford Police Department and will continue to do so through this situation," Hernandez noted. "BPS will open as usual today but with increased police presence in and around our schools. Further updates will be provided when necessary."

The Sound noted an increased police presence at both BHS and WIS on Dec. 17, with a least two police vehicles parked on site at both buildings during the school day.

In the Dec. 17 update, Hernandez also thanked all for "...helping us keep our schools safe by monitoring your child's social media and reporting information to the police department which you suspect is dangerous to our school community."

Hernandez first contacted staff and families on Dec. 16 regarding the national TikTok post. He sent out the following message:

"The Branford School District has become aware of a troubling post that has been shared widely this week on the social media platform TikTok. The post refers to a threat to school safety on Friday, December 17, 2021.

The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in our school district. We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in their schools. The Connecticut Intelligence Center, along with other law enforcement agencies across the country who have received tips related to these rumors, has been investigating these posts and while they do not believe the post to be actionable, we are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with our local police department to have appropriate resources dedicated to maintain the safety of our schools.

This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats. Inappropriate online posts cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children's social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online.

If you or your child become aware of any potential threat specifically to our District posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify the Branford Police Department, school administration, and/or the Superintendent's Office.

As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students."

Later on Dec. 17, Branford Police Department (BPD) posted a lengthy community message at its Facebook page.

The message read, "Branford Police Department would like to address our community in light of the recent social media threats which have threatened communities across the nation, including ours.  These threats have been shared from device to device via screenshots in an attempt to conceal the original posters identity.  We will aggressively investigate any post that makes any mention of Branford in an attempt to identify and prosecute those criminally involved.  At this time, we have not received any credible threat of concern which we would allow to interfere with the daily lives of our residents.

Since receiving information about this challenge, we began to take preventative measures to ensure the security of our schools and the safety of all in our school systems.  We have been working closely with school administrators in sharing information to assess this situation.

We ask that parents have real discussions with their children regarding proper use of social media, and become engaged in monitoring their child's online activity.  We would also like to thank all those who have contacted us with information from their children regarding inappropriate statements made by students at school and/or social media posts which have been shared with them.

We recognize that these threats, even if not credible can cause stress and anxiety for students, family and staff; therefore, we will continue to have an increased police presence at all our schools today.  Ensuring the safety of all people in our community is always our first priority!"