John Jay High School in the Wappingers Central School District was on lockout Sept. 15 beginning at 2:13 p.m., which delayed afternoon dismissal.
In a message posted on the school’s website around 3 p.m., Wappingers Superintendent of Schools Dwight Bonk said local law enforcement was involved in “a police matter near Interstate 84,” and the lockout was a “safety precaution.”
“Please know that the safety of all of our students and staff has not been impacted by this incident,” Bonk said in a statement.
The East Fishkill Police Department referred a request for comment to New York State Police. Troopers then directed the request to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, who they said are the lead on the case. As of 9:15 a.m. Sept 16, the sheriff’s office had not returned a request for comment.
All after-school activities were canceled at John Jay High School and a second announcement from the district indicated many elementary bus stalls would also be “significantly” delayed.
The bus routes with delays include: MCV04P, FPV03P, KRV03P, GHV01P, EVV01P, FKV01, DPH03P, DPH04P, LWPV01P, MC07P, MC08P, MC10P, MC12P, MC13P, MC14P, MC16P, MZT01P, GH04P, GH03P, GH16P, GH11P, GH02P, GH08P, GH12P, GH01P, FI01P, FI02P, FI04P, FP01P, FP09P, BR01P, BR02P, BR04P, BR05P and BR09P.
Bonk said the district was informed at 3:37 p.m. that police activity in the Wiccopee area had concluded and the school began dismissing students at 3:42 p.m.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” Bonk said, East Fishkill Police Department had extra officers on site for dismissal and buses “traversing the areas of interest” were escorted by a police cruiser.
Bonk said the district would provide additional information as it becomes available.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: John Jay High School delays dismissal for ‘police matter’ near I-84: What we know
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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