The city’s public schools suffered a spike in threats and scary incidents that caused lockdowns and compelled students to take shelter after a school massacre in Florida, new data show.
Deranged teen Nikolas Cruz opened fire on his former classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, authorities and witnesses say, killing 17 people and wounding 17 others in one of the deadliest school massacres in history.
In the wake of that mass murder, schools around the nation and across the city have become more cautious as they grapple with jittery students, staffers and families — and some alarming threats of violence.
In the city, those nerves and threats may have led to a sharp increase in school lockdowns — and a milder type of shutdown called a shelter-in-place.
The total number of lockdowns and shelter-ins in city schools rose from 50 incidents from Valentine’s Day to spring break in 2017 to 62 during the same period this year. That’s an increase of 24%.
New York Harbor School junior Liam Daretany, 17, said students across the city are on edge.
The school on Governors Island received two threats that prompted lockdowns in February and March. Both times, an anonymous person threatened to shoot up the school.
“Our school, personally, we’ve had two lockdowns recently,” said Daretany, who attended Friday’s anti-gun-violence protest walkout with a sign reading: “I shouldn’t have to fear for my life in school.”
He said the shootings in Parkland and elsewhere have made students nervous.
“Seeing on the news, your mind instantly goes to the worst,” Daretany said. “You think of your friends who aren’t with you and what classrooms they’re in. You’re getting the text and you only know half the story, you only know the rumors.”
Most of the increase in incidents in city schools since the Parkland massacre is due to a large rise in the number of shelter-ins, which jumped from 34 incidents during that Feb. 14-spring break time period in 2017, to 44 this year. Lockdowns during that time rose as well, from 16 incidents in 2017, to 18 this year.
Shelter-ins are called due to threats coming from outside a school building. Lockdowns are used in instances of threats within schools that pose immediate danger.
During a shelter-in, students are instructed to remain inside the school and doors are locked, but activities continue as usual. During a lockdown, students are instructed to move out of sight and maintain silence.
Police refused to provide data on threats in or around schools, but a spokesperson said on background that there’s been no rise in threats.
Despite the increase in shelter-ins and lockdowns, Education Department spokeswoman Miranda Barbot said the evidence does not suggest a significant rise in incidents.
“Our detailed safety protocols and close partnership with NYPD ensure school buildings are safe and secure,” she said. “We are equipped to handle safety incidents within our schools, and as the result of robust trainings and drills, all students and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency.”
With Laura Dimon