Police Chief Jeremiah Marron recently announced how his department and other officials responded after the FBI notified the department that a Darien High School student had mentioned “a potential threat to public safety” in a social media post.
Police spoke with the student, determined there was no threat to the school or community, he said.
After the FBI notification, “extensive resources were dispatched to and arrived on scene almost immediately,” Marron said in an emailed statement. Students and teachers were told to shelter in place while police and school administrators helped secure the building
“Police department assets along with school administrators quickly identified and located the student in question and determined there was no threat to the school or the community,” Marron said. “Promptly but cautiously, school operations were then directed to continue per usual.”
He added that “extensive follow up investigation is being conducted by our Patrol Division, the Detective Division [and] the school resource officer, all in coordination with the school security staff and the school administration.”
Text of the Announcement
This statement was emailed at 8:21 p.m., Friday:
In a very important but also proactive effort to dispel any ongoing or potential rumors through social media, “word of mouth,” or by any other means, I would like to provide accurate facts about an incident that took place today at the Darien High School.
As many of our residents are aware, the Darien Police Department received information from the FBI regarding a social media post that was made by a Darien High School student involving a potential threat to public safety.
Based on this information, and without hesitation, extensive resources were dispatched to and arrived on scene almost immediately at the Darien High School Campus.
Through coordination by the Police Department, the school resource officer, and the school administration, the campus was ordered to “shelter in place.”
Police department assets along with school administrators quickly identified and located the student in question and determined there was no threat to the school or the community. Promptly but cautiously, school operations were then directed to continue per usual.
Darien Police personnel released the scene, however extensive follow up investigation is being conducted by our Patrol Division, the Detective Division, the school resource officer, all in coordination with the school security staff and the school administration.
I would like to use this opportunity to remind the general public that anything that effectively resembles a potential threat to our schools or in fact appears to be a compromise to the safety of our children, will not only elicit an immediate response by our agency, but without exception will be dealt with thoroughly and under the full authority of existing law.
This incident remains under active investigation and no further information is being released at this time.
I would like to personally thank all of the Darien Police Department personnel who on duty or not, in town or not, dropped everything and responded on their own time to ensure the safety of those potentially at risk. Many that you serve expect your every day commitment, but today we saw first-hand how much you care about not only what you do, but how important the people you serve are to you. Proud to work with you all.
Additionally I would like to commend the Town of Darien superintendent of schools, the director of school security, and the Darien High School administration for their collaboration, cooperation, and support. Thank you all for your professionalism and commitment to keep our schools safe.