Announcement from the Depew Union Free School District
March 31, 2023
Depew School Community,
The safety of our students and staff are foremost on the minds of our District. The events that have taken place across our country, and most recently here in New York, with false reports of shots being fired have raised concerns among many. Please be assured that the Depew Union Free School District has not received any such threats. The “swatting” incidents that took place yesterday are a criminal harassment tactic of deceiving our emergency services into sending police or emergency service response teams to a specific location – in yesterday's incidents, our public schools.
We have reviewed our protocols and procedures, reminded our staff of our emergency responses and worked closely with the Depew Police Department. We have maintained our normal operations in each of our buildings. In the unlikely event of a threat in our district, we will communicate with the community as promptly as possible, will enter into an emergency response protocol and will have the Depew Police (and other agencies) on location immediately. I ask that in the event of such an emergency, please do not come to the school, as it will delay the ability of the Depew Police to perform their duties of clearing any potential threat or verifying a hoax so your children can be released to you safely.
Please be aware that all statements of actions that suggest a threat to the safety and security of our school students and staff are taken seriously. Any such statement comes with significant consequences, even if they are made jokingly and/or deemed as not credible. The District recognizes the need to be transparent regarding incidents that may impact our school community. We will always act out of an abundance of caution to ensure all our students and staff are safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hank Stopinski
Superintendent