Separate bomb threats were made against Newburgh Free Academy and the NFA North Campus this week. The bomb threats come hot on the heels of additional threats that put the Newburgh Enlarged City School District on high alert the previous week. All incidents are now under federal and local criminal investigation.
On May 2, 2022, the City of Newburgh Police Department was notified of the two bomb threats. Police officers and K-9 teams from the City of Newburgh Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded and conducted a search of the areas with negative results.
The City of Newburgh Police Department has commenced a criminal investigation into each one of these threats in conjunction with the New York State Police, the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
When the offender(s) making the bomb threats are identified and arrested, they will face criminal charges including Making a Terroristic Threat, a Class D felony; and Falsely Reporting an Incident in the first degree, also a Class D felony. Each charge carries prison sentences of 2-7 years apiece.
On April 26, 2022, schools opened on a two-hour delay after an unspecified threat was made. Later in the week, another unspecified threat was made in response to an altercation that recently occurred. Interim Superintendent Ed Fogit stated those threats are believed to be unrelated.
The District declined to share the content of each of the threats in an effort to refrain from dignifying or sensationalizing the threats made by the suspect(s). Fogit explained that the District is doing its best to provide transparency without jeopardizing the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the City of Newburgh Police Department at 845-569-7509. Callers can remain anonymous.
