Community Corner

Phone Threat Prompted Modified Lockdown

A male caller who made unspecified threats toward Hawley School's staff and students prompted a lockdown this afternoon, according to police.

The call came at 2:05, after which Newtown schools entered a modified lockdown, according to Superintendent John Reed. Students have been dismissed, and police have not confirmed the cause of the lockdown.

Reed told Patch a threatening call to Hawley School prompted the lockdown. As of 3:45, police were limiting access to Hawley School to parents picking up their children. A Newtown Police dispatcher told Patch officers are still working on the case and no official report has been released.

"Modified lockdown means the kids can do normal school work, but the school doors are locked," Reed said. "Today, communication is so quick the police radio got out info to schools instantaneously, and there may have been a situation in which schools went into lockdown before I could get in touch to say, 'modified lockdown.'"

Reed said he consulted with Chief Michael Kehoe in making the decision this afternoon.

More information on the way as it is released.


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