Late last night the district and the Dracut Police received an anonymous tip via the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System the district has been utilizing for two years. The message referred to threat of an alleged shooting at Dracut High School that had been seen on a social media platform.
Overnight, the Dracut Police investigated the matter, and before dawn this morning Dracut Police officials and administrators of the Dracut Public Schools resumed their close communication on the matter. Out of an abundance of caution, in addition to the School Resource Officer normally present at Dracut High, there was an additional police presence at the school today.
“This matter is under investigation,” reported Chief Peter Bartlett of the Dracut Police Department. “The Dracut Police have contacted individuals as part of the ongoing investigation. We take all threats seriously and will continue to work with school officials to ensure that there is no interruption to the school day.”
Chief Bartlett added that, “Anyone who might have information that could help with the investigation should contact Detective Megan Farley at 978-957-2123.”
“In close collaboration with the Dracut Police Department, we were able to assess carefully the situation and respond in a manner appropriate to the circumstance. This allowed us to continue our normal school day,” said Dracut High School Principal, Richard Manley.
Unrelated to the anonymous report involving Dracut High School, this morning, during the opening of the elementary schools in the complex, the Dracut Police responded to a report of an individual walking erratically on Lakeview Avenue in front of the complex. The individual was detained by the DPD. Again, this incident was unrelated to the ongoing investigation.
Parenthetically, for a brief period of time this morning, consistent with our approach to school safety, at the request of the Dracut Police, all of the schools in the complex conducted activities indoors. As of 11AM all outdoor activities resumed.
“I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work by Chief Bartlett, his leadership team, the officers of the Dracut Police Department, as well as the administrators and staff of the Dracut Public Schools for their professionalism and focused approach to this matter,” said Superintendent of Schools, Steven Stone.
Added Superintendent Stone, “The ability of individuals to report concerning behavior, whether related to claims of harm to others or self-harm; and the swiftness of the response by school and police officials is a testament to the value of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System as part of our comprehensive approach to school safety.”
The Dracut Public Schools is one of only seven school districts in Massachusetts that utilizes the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System as a support for middle and high school communities. The platform allows for mobile (available in Apple and Play Store), web, or phone reports of concerning behavior. If such behavior is judged to be an imminent life-safety concern, the Dracut Police are immediately alerted. As demonstrated by the report received most recently, this system is a powerful tool that further strengthens the commitment of the Dracut Public Schools and the Dracut Police Department to the safety of the school community.
Contacts:
Dracut Public Schools – Steven Stone, Superintendent of Schools; 978-957-2660 Dracut Police Department – Peter Bartlett, Chief of Police; 978-957-2123 x2001