Westport Public Schools swiftly implemented safety protocols today after a bomb threat was reported at Coleytown Elementary School (CES). The incident led to a two-hour delayed start for CES students and a precautionary shelter-in-place at Coleytown Middle School (CMS). Law enforcement confirmed no explosive devices were found, and normal school operations resumed within hours.
Key Takeaways
- A 911 text reported a bomb threat at Coleytown Elementary School at 7:45 a.m.
- Westport Police, with Stamford Police Bomb Squad, cleared the building by 9:10 a.m.
- Students and staff were safely relocated during the search.
- The incident was resolved in less than 90 minutes.
- Three regional police departments collaborated on the response.
Rapid Response to Morning Threat
The incident began at approximately 7:45 a.m. when the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message. The message reported a bomb threat directed at Coleytown Elementary School. This immediate notification triggered a rapid response from Westport Police Department (WPD) officials.
District administration was contacted shortly after the threat was received. School safety protocols, already in place, were activated without delay. This occurred during the busiest time for morning school transportation, adding complexity to the situation.
Incident Timeline
- 7:45 a.m.: 911 text reports bomb threat to CES.
- 8:15 a.m.: Families notified of 2-hour delayed start.
- 9:10 a.m.: CES building cleared by police.
- 10:45-11:00 a.m.: CES students return to school.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Action
By 8:15 a.m., families received notification of a two-hour delayed start for Coleytown Elementary. During this time, the Westport Police Department, supported by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and its explosive detection K9 unit, began a thorough search of the elementary school building.
Staff and students already on the CES campus were quickly and safely moved to Coleytown Middle School. Buses en route to CES were also redirected to the middle school. This ensured everyone's safety while the search was underway.
"Today’s tightly coordinated response resulted in a resolution of the incident in less than 90 minutes, while engaging 3 regional police departments," Superintendent Thomas Scarice stated in a message to parents.
Precautionary Measures at Middle School
Coleytown Middle School students were either on their way to school or already on campus when the situation unfolded. As a precautionary measure, CMS was placed into a brief shelter-in-place. This step was taken to ensure the safety of all students and staff present at the middle school while CES students were being relocated.
Principal Janna Sirowich of CMS provided clear communication throughout the morning. At 8:25 a.m., she addressed all students and staff, explaining the threat to CES was not credible and that actions were precautionary. She encouraged calm and asked students to avoid using cell phones and Chromebooks during the shelter-in-place.
Understanding Shelter-in-Place
A shelter-in-place protocol involves securing a building's perimeter and having occupants remain indoors. This differs from a lockdown, which typically involves barricading doors and preparing for an immediate threat within the building. Shelter-in-place is often used as a precaution when an external threat is being investigated.
All Clear and Return to Normalcy
The WPD and their Stamford partners completed their search by 9:10 a.m. They confirmed no explosive devices were found, declaring Coleytown Elementary School safe. Following the all-clear, the shelter-in-place at CMS was lifted.
Coleytown Elementary students began returning to their school between 10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. This allowed for a return to normal routines, albeit with a delayed start to the school day. The swift resolution minimized disruption for students and families.
Collaboration and Communication Praised
Superintendent Scarice expressed gratitude for the collaboration among law enforcement agencies. The response involved three regional police departments: Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield, in addition to the Stamford Police Bomb Squad. Deputy Chiefs Ryan Paulsson and Dave Wolf of the Westport Police Department also provided on-site support.
Scarice highlighted the professionalism of the law enforcement partners and the calm leadership displayed by school administrators. He specifically praised Principal Sirowich for her compassionate communication and for reassuring students and staff at CMS.
- Law Enforcement: Westport Police, Stamford Police Bomb Squad, Norwalk Police, Fairfield Police.
- School Leadership: District and school leaders, including CMS Principal Janna Sirowich.
- Community: Students and families for their patience and cooperation.
Both Coleytown Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools convened their crisis response teams after the all-clear. These teams reviewed the morning's events. Later, full faculty meetings were held to debrief and reflect on the effectiveness of the response and to ensure the well-being of students and staff.
The superintendent emphasized that while such threats are unsettling, today's events underscored the strength of existing safety protocols. He thanked students and families for their patience, trust, and support throughout the day. Support was made available for any students or staff feeling uneasy following the incident.