More than 1000 Los Angeles schools closed due to threat

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck defended the school district’s decision to keep students and staff home out of an abundance of caution.

The Los Angeles Unified School District comprises more than 21,000 buildings spread over 720 square miles (1,865 square kilometers) within Los Angeles and nearby communities.

All Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students will return to school Wednesday following an email threat that shut down the entire school system.

Similar threats were sent to New York City officials, but schools did not close there.

It’s extremely rare for a major USA city to close all its schools because of a threat and it reflected the lingering unease in Southern California following the terrorist attack that killed 14 people at a holiday luncheon two weeks ago in San Bernardino.

The LAUSD said on Twitter that classes and after-school activities would resume Wednesday, adding: “When it comes to the well-being of our children, we will never take chances”.

“‘These are obviously things we take very seriously, ‘ Beck said”. In New York, the person who sent the email claimed to have 138 jihadist friends.

School districts in both Houston and Miami reportedly received threats Wednesday similar to those against NY and Los Angeles schools earlier this week. “He shared with me that some of the details talked about backpacks, talked about other packages, and after talking with him, also with the board president, I made a decision to close all of the schools”. After they detonated, people “with ISIS connections” would assault with AK 47 rifles and other firearms, said Beck, who was paraphrasing the email.

Parent Lupita Vela says she was terrified after getting the announcement, especially in light of the recent San Bernardino attack. MORE: LAUSD schools deemed safe after threat investigationMaria Ruiz, an administrative assistant at Fair Avenue Elementary School in North Hollywood, called the situation stressful.

Schools Police Chief Zipperman said school police officers will wear uniforms this week, and city Police Chief Charlie Beck said LAPD officers will have an expanded presence around schools as well.

SIEGLER: Jackson says he stands firmly behind the decision of school district administrators.

The New York City Police Department School Safety Division is a division of the NYPD that provides security to the city’s schools.

“LA has a huge school system – 600 square mile school system”. We need families and neighbors to work together with our schools and with our employees to make sure our kids are safe throughout the day.

The differing response to the threat has led to some public sniping between the two districts. “And to disrupt the daily schedules of half a million schoolchildren, their parents, daycare, buses based on an anonymous email without consultation – if in fact consultation did not occur with law enforcement authorities – I think it was a significant overreaction, yes”, Commissioner Bratton said.