Life on lockdown is frustrating students at a Long Island high school where strict security measures have been enacted after a series of bomb threats.
Students at Wantagh High School have to carry their books in see-through plastic bags, sign in and out of the bathrooms and walk past new security cameras installed in the hallways.
“I think it’s crazy that the school is on lockdown,” said Joseph Ortiz, 18, a senior. “My mom is really worried. When she first found out about the bomb threat, she started texting me. Now she’s texting me every few hours while I’m at school:’Are you okay, are you okay.’ It’s really bugging her.”
“It’s like I’m on lockdown,” said a sophomore, who didn’t want to share his name. “Like I’m a criminal here, worse than usual. The teachers are bugging out too. A couple of them stare now. Just stare at you and make you feel guilty and weird. They didn’t stare before we got the threats. Now they keep staring at every little thing. Watching.”
School officials said they put the new security measures in place after receiving three threats, including two that were crudely scrawled in a school bathroom.
“Students were extremely cooperative throughout the process and attendance at the high school remains at a normal level,” schools superintendent Maureen Goldberg said in a statement. “The school will be opening a second set of boys and girls bathrooms, which will be monitored. We are taking this situation very seriously and are working very closely with the Nassau County Police Department as they conduct their investigation. Our highest priority is the welfare of our students and staff and keeping our parents informed of the latest information.”
More than 1,100 students are enrolled in the school. Goldberg said the security measures would remain in place indefinitely.
Parents said they were comforted by the lockdown. They said officials have to be vigilant in the wake of school shootings like the one in Newtown, Conn., in 2012.
“I’m glad they are taking it as seriously as they are,” said Susan Cangelosi, 53, who was picking up her two sons, a senior and a freshman. “I want my kids safe so if they have to carry their books, so be it.”
“The first day, three weeks ago, it was frightening,” said Margaret Oregon, 47, who was picking up her daughter, a sophomore. “When you think of the crazy stuff going on in the world with kids at school. Now, I’m still a little scared. It’s frightening for us parents. Even worse, we aren’t getting any real answers from the school. They haven’t found the people responsible. I hope they do find them and I hope they prosecute. Whoever it is, they belong in jail.”