Bridgeport schools are back open Monday, but with increased police presence after last week's school threats.
Bridgeport police tell News 12 they take these social media threats very seriously.
"Every day we're planning and strategizing to make sure that we provide a safe environment for our schools," said Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter. There was noticeable added security at Central High School this morning.
This after threats to Bridgeport Public Schools last week.
Police say the city's protection is of the utmost importance. "We have a great partnership with the Board of Education and we've had it for many many years so we work in conjunction with their security to provide safety in the schools so we are always working and planning to ensure our schools are safe. Regardless of what the circumstance might be," said Porter. District officials said they worked with local police to investigate the first threat and arrested a 13-year-old last Wednesday.
Police say there was also a second threat made by an adult and that is being investigated.
Members of the community say we should be protecting our kids. "We want to make sure that whatever happens, whether it's a threat or an actual act of violence that people know that we are here to protect them and that we're here to make sure that they're protected before anything happens," said former Connecticut State Senator Dennis Bradley. Superintendent of Bridgeport schools Dr. Carmela Levy-David said in a statement, "We are confident that these measures will provide a safe and secure environment for our students to return to their educational activities."
Counseling and support services will also be available for students and staff who may be anxious or concerned. Athletic games at many of the schools were canceled over the weekend.