Easton Police, school officials investigating multiple inappropriate messages sent among students

EASTON — Police Chief Gary Sullivan and Superintendent Lisha Cabral report that the Easton Police Department and Easton Public Schools are investigating multiple incidents of inappropriate messages being sent digitally among students in recent weeks.

The incidents were first brought to the attention of school officials on Friday and Easton Police were immediately notified. The messages included sexual images and racist and anti-Israeli rhetoric.

An investigation was launched and police and school officials are working together. At this time it is unclear how many inappropriate messages were sent or received by students or who sent them.

The investigation follows a separate incident where a racial slur was found written on a bulletin board in a hallway at Oliver Ames High School on Thursday. A juvenile student in that incident has been identified and is facing discipline in accordance with school policy.

The Easton Police Department and Easton Public Schools take incidents like these very seriously and hate speech or inappropriate language or images of any kind will not be tolerated.

“Since yesterday’s incident I have been in contact with the Anti-Defamation League and will be drawing upon their guidance and resources to ensure that our students know that there is no room for this type of behavior by anyone in our schools,” Superintendent Cabral said. “We pride ourselves on providing an inclusive atmosphere for our students and no one should have to be subjected to this kind of behavior. As always, counselors will be available at our schools should any student wish to speak to someone about the incidents.”

Chief Sullivan said, “These incidents are certainly disturbing and have no place in our town or anywhere for that matter. We will be working closely with school officials to investigate these incidents and anyone with information about who may have sent the messages is asked to call our department at 508-230-3322.”