After Email Threat, Schools Will Have Heightened Police Presence on First Day

The acting superintendent for Saucon Valley School District, Dr. Susan Mowrer-Benda, announced in an email to parents Tuesday that there will be a heightened police presence when school opens Monday because of a threatening email that was sent to hundreds of eighth and ninth graders last week.

“The Lower Saucon Police Department continues to work in concert with the school district regarding the recent threat incident,” she said. “The investigation is ongoing and the police will be providing an additional presence on our campus in the days to come.”

Although police have identified the IP address from which the email was sent, Lower Saucon Police Chief Guy Lesser said Wednesday he had no further updates to share.

In spite of the addition of officers, some parents have said on social media they are anxious about sending their children to school because of the unsolved email case, in which someone threatened a shooting.

“More precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of our kids,” said Tina Thomas. “If the district doesn’t want to have bag checks or metal detectors, then how about not allowing the students to bring in any type of book bag to school?”

“It’s an active therrostic threat towards the school and our children,” she added. “Granted this (person) could just be blowing off steam…but who’s to say?”

“I honestly do not feel safe sending my kids. At all,” commented MaryAnn Wisser. “They should have officers in every school until the sender is caught.”

Not all parents agreed, however.

“If you don’t feel safe sending your children to school, home school,” said Maryann Crystal. “I’m confident as every other year LSPD and district staff will do their utmost best to keep our children safe on campus and in the community.”

Adding to the anxiety level for some parents is the fact that a production crew from a national media outlet is at Saucon Valley to film a documentary about racial tensions in the district and plans to capture footage of the first day of school.

“No wonder my kid has anxiety for the first day of high school,” said Jennifer Carroll. “These people will be there and then the email.”

The crew from Lincoln Square Productions–the documentary division of ABC–met with some parents at a meeting at the high school Wednesday evening, and an additional Q&A session is planned for Thursday night in the auditorium at 6 p.m.

“The team has pledged to minimize disruption to the school environment and will respect the confidentiality and comfort level of our students and staff through voluntary participation only,” Mowrer-Benda said. Further questions and answers may be posed directly to the documentary team at (the) informational sessions.”

Saucon Source reached out to Mowrer-Benda to ask about who gave Lincoln Square Productions permission to film in the schools and when that decision was made, as well as whether the filming was ever formally approved by the school board.

“I…understand your questions regarding permission for ABC to be present in our district were answered at last evening’s informational meeting,” she said. “I am sure the information will be repeated at this evening’s meeting as well.”

Are you or your children feeling more anxiety about the first day of school because of the unsolved email case and/or the fact that a documentary film crew will be there? Tell us by posting a comment.