PORT WASHINGTON — A Port Washington High School student made a threat to another student Thursday, according to Principal Eric Burke.
In a letter sent to parents of Port Washington students, Burke said he contacted the Port Washington Police Department, which went to the student’s home to investigate.
The student initially denied making the threat, according to Burke, but then verbalized a list of names to the police officer. Parents of those students were contacted, according to the letter.
As a safety measure, police took the student into custody and the school suspended the student while police continue their investigation to determine if this is a credible threat.
The school and police department believe the school and events are safe for students, staff and parents.
There will be a police presence at the rest of the school’s homecoming events.
Burke issued the following statement Friday:
“On Thursday, October 17, a student at Port Washington High School alerted school authorities that a fellow student was making threatening comments about harming other students at the school. Staff at the high school took this threat seriously and immediately notified the Port Washington Police Department. Officers interviewed the student who had made the threatening comments, and the student verbalized a list of names of people he wanted to harm. Law enforcement then took the student into custody, and the student has been suspended while police continue their investigation. We then informed parents and students of the situation via a letter, and I also talked to the families of the students who were threatened. The school and Police Department believe that the school and related events are safe for students, staff and parents, and we look forward to the rest of our Homecoming Week activities.
“The safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance, and we applaud the student who brought this to our attention. We stress in the Port Washington-Saukville School District that if you see or hear something, say something, and that is exactly what the student who alerted officials did. We know that is a hard step to take, but this student did the right thing. Let his actions serve as a lesson for all of us in the future. We are also grateful for the prompt response of local law enforcement as they moved quickly in this situation.”
