Social Media Threats: How to React?

(Updated 6:55 PM) The community is on edge after social media sites are disseminating a threat from Hamas designating Friday October 13, 2023 as "the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood." While there are no specific threats to Scarsdale the threats are ominous after last weekend’s horrific attacks in Israel. What to do? Carry on as usual? Send the kids to school? Take the train to the city? Stay home? What do you think?

Here are notes from the Scarsdale Police, Scarsdale Schools and the Scarsdale Public Library discussing the threat.

Scarsdale Police
We are aware that Hamas has issued an official statement designating Friday, October 13, 2023, a day of action titled "the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood." In their announcement, Hamas called on the international community to voice solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause by engaging in mass gatherings. A video has also surfaced of a founding member and former Hamas leader praising the recent terrorist attacks and calling on others to mobilize on October 13.

Although there are currently no known threats to the Scarsdale Community, the Scarsdale Police Department continues to work with State and County law enforcement agencies to monitor the situation. Scarsdale Police Department’s additional patrol and premise checks of all synagogues and educational institutions that began at the first sign of the attacks have continued. You may notice increased police presence at all of Scarsdale’s schools and synagogues tomorrow throughout the day. This has been planned out of an abundance of caution and should not be reason to believe that any specific threats have been made.

The situation will continue to be monitored over the coming days and more information will be released when available and appropriate. As always, if you see something, say something. If you need to contact our police department in an emergency, please dial 911. If you need to get in touch with the police and it is not an emergency, please dial 914.722.1200.

From the Scarsdale Schools:
Increasingly our communities have been exposed to scary and unsettling information posted on social media, covered by the traditional media, or sparked through rumor.
We are writing to inform you about a highly disturbing situation being spread through social media.

On October 10, 2023, Hamas issued an official statement designating Friday, October 13, 2023, a day of action titled "the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood." They called on the international community to voice solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause by engaging in mass gatherings. A video has also surfaced featuring a founding member and former Hamas leader praising the recent attack and calling on everyone to mobilize. He stated that jihad is everyone's duty and an individual responsibility. Subsequently, there have been social media posts carrying that video and connecting it to a possible threat against schools along with houses of worship and institutions related to Judaism.

This post is an example of what is being circulated. The FBI is aware of the situation and while they continue to collect and analyze intelligence from a variety of sources, they do not currently have specific intelligence reflecting additional attack planning against the United States. Additional information may be found in this FBI public service announcement.

Although there is no specific threat to Scarsdale, we have been in regular contact with Scarsdale Police who are monitoring the situation through the Real Time Crime Center. They are also increasing both patrols around our buildings and school walkthroughs. Additionally, we have informed all staff of the threat and instructed our safety monitors to exercise additional vigilance in their patrols. We will continue to monitor intelligence shared by local, state, and federal law enforcement entities to guide any additional response.

The proliferation of threats on social media in general, and this one in particular, has created a new problem in our lives. We are challenged to simultaneously make meaning for ourselves while guiding our children to process information like this in as emotionally healthy way as possible. These are daunting tasks. However, the most important protective factors we can give our children are positive and trusting relationships and a community that cares for one another. Those two factors are in abundance here in Scarsdale. As we have noted before, our counselors and clinicians stand ready to help guide you through conversations with your children and support your children here at school.

Please feel free to use the resources shared yesterday when speaking to your children or to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

In Partnership,

Eric K. Rauschenbach
Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services

From the Scaarsdale Library

Regarding Recent Social Media Posts about Friday, October 13

A series of social media posts have been circulating designating Friday, October 13, a day of action titled "the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood." As a result, there have been social media posts sharing that video and connecting it to a possible threat against schools along with houses of worship and institutions related to Judaism.

Although there has been no specific threat to Scarsdale, the Library has been in contact with Scarsdale Police who are monitoring a wide variety of sources for any possible threats. We value the safety of our patrons and staff and will remain vigilant, taking precautions suggested by law enforcement.