Police Drug Suspect Search Led to Sayville School Lockdowns

Sayville’s last school day of 2013 break featured a district security event linked to a police drug bust happening in the community, according to school district officials.

Several local residents took to Facebook to find out if neighbors and friends had heard helicopters around district schools mid-day on December 20 and lock downs at schools.

According to School Superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner the activity parents were reporting was tied to a police drug bust search for an unarmed male in the area between Lincoln Avenue Elementary School and Sayville Middle School.

“Parents called the office regarding the helicopters. We had our security contact the police to find out what was going on. When we found out we brought the elementary students off the playground at recess and did a lock-in at Lincoln, Sunrise, and the middle school,” he told Patch in an email.

“The police then informed us that the suspect was apprehended before dismissal. We already have a security check for entrance in all three buildings. We just did a perimeter check to make sure all other access points were secure.”