An important message from Superintendent Jody Monroe…

Dear BC Parent/Guardian:

I am writing to inform you about an arrest made today by the Bethlehem Police Department related to a single phone threat received by the high school yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. The individual arrested is a juvenile and is not a student in the district.

According to a police statement, the juvenile has been charged with Making a Terroristic Threat (D Felony) and Aggravated Harassment 2nd (A Misdemeanor). The juvenile was processed on the charges today and released to the custody of a parent. The juvenile is scheduled to appear at Albany County Probation on October 22, 2024.

The police department said the suspect in this “swatting” case is not a suspect in the previous “swatting” calls that occurred between Sept. 10 and Oct. 7. A separate investigation is being conducted into those calls by the Bethlehem Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). That investigation is continuing and is focused outside of the Capital Region. To preserve the integrity of the investigation, no further details are being made available by law enforcement at this time.

Tuesday’s call to the high school was received at approximately 2:40 p.m. The caller allegedly told a staff member who answered the phone, “I am calling in a bomb threat,” and the caller proceeded to hang up. The caller did not identify themselves. The staff member alerted district administrators immediately. The School Resource Officer and the police department began investigating immediately and officers and a K9 patrol were dispatched to the school to conduct a “sweep” of the school.

I want to remind our families that all threats of violence will be taken seriously and that the district will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure students and staff are safe and feel safe at school. Especially in this environment where tensions are heightened, there will be zero tolerance for any situation that undermines our commitment to safety. Any threat made against a school in the Bethlehem Central School District will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We appreciate the police department and other law enforcement agencies who have dedicated their expertise and countless hours of work to address these menacing calls. They are invaluable partners to the Bethlehem Central School District.

I am keenly aware that this situation has taken a toll on both students and staff. School administrators, counselors, social workers, and other resources are always available to students, staff and families. I encourage families to remind students of this support system, which is an integral part of their school community every day.

Sincerely,

Jody Monroe

Superintendent