Suffolk County Police Investigate Graffiti and Threats at Port Jefferson Playground

Janet Joyce Thursday, February 28, 2013

Schools in Suffolk County and Long Island face tremendous challenges in the months ahead. They must decide what to do about school security, repair damages from Sandy, work with a much lower aid package from the state, and also think about early education.

Now, one school in particular, Port Jefferson's John F. Kennedy Middle School, must watch out for any signs of danger that comes from threats made in an adjacement park and playground.

Suffolk County police are investigating graffiti in a Port Jefferson Station playground that allegedly targeted students at the neighboring school, a police spokesperson said.

Parents of students at the middle school have turned to social media to voice their concerns after some heard local media reports about the threats. The threatening messages were found at the School Street Playground, which is directly adjacent to the athletic fields of John F. Kennedy Middle School on Jayne Blvd. The graffiti, which appeared to be written in marker, referenced a bomb and said “kill JFK school kids.”

Once made aware of the graffiti the school officials reacted pretty quickkly. School officials said JFK Middle School Principal Michael Fama noticed the threats, took pictures, and called police. Concerned parents turned to a popular Facebook group to express their concerns, including parents who said their children heard about the threat on the school bus and began to cry. Others said they were scared and losing sleep. However, several parents dismissed the threat and praised the district’s quick response.

The good thing seems to be that the threats may be several days old. Police said Crime Section officers have an ongoing investigation and believe the graffiti was written with permanent markers.

It is events like this that can put a tremendous strain on the already strained schools in the area. Parents get concerned, teachers become worried, school officials implement more restrictions, and students continue to pay the price. Hopefully these threats are nothing more than stupid kids doing stupid things.

janetj@longislandyellowpages.com

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