The following is a message from Superintendent of Schools
Jeff Young and Police Commissioner Robert Haas:
The Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) has been informed by
the Cambridge Police of an anonymous e-mail threat of gun violence against
“Cambridge, Mass Middle Schools.” This latest threat was directed specifically
at the Amigos School, Putnam Avenue Upper School, and Vassal Lane Upper School.
These buildings also contain Tobin Montessori and Kennedy-Longfellow
School.
Schools will be open on Thursday, December 3. However,
out of abundance of caution, the following safety measures are in place: The
buildings have been locked and alarmed since 10:30 PM. Cambridge Police and CPS
Security will conduct a detailed walk-through of the named schools before 6:30
AM. Police and Security will be present and visible at the front door of all
school buildings throughout the day. Police will be present throughout the
building, throughout the day, in every CPS school, not just the three mentioned
in the threat, and will continue until the conclusion of after-school
activities. Due to enhanced measures, staff and students will be required to
enter through a supervised front entrance at all CPS school buildings.
Cambridge Police is working collaboratively with local
and federal partners in this investigation. It is believed that this
threat is likely a continuation of previous threats that originated early
Tuesday morning and police have confidence from their investigations that the
same individual is behind the e-mails.
Police, city, and school personnel are working closely
together to keep our students and staff safe. In the meantime, if anyone sees
anything suspicious or unusual, please call the Cambridge Police at 911
(emergency) or 617-349-3300 (non-emergency).