Brooklyn Latin Parents Demand Action After Repeated Bomb and Violence Threats Disrupt School

Parents, students and staff at Brooklyn Latin School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, say they have been living with repeated bomb and other violent threats since late in the 2024–2025 school year. Families report rising anxiety after multiple evacuations and say responses from law enforcement and the school system have not fully eased their concerns.

What Happened

The incidents began toward the end of the 2024–2025 school year and were initially thought to be student pranks. When classes resumed after Labor Day 2025, the calls increased in frequency and scope, expanding beyond bomb threats to include threats of arson and stabbings. Parents say the repeated disruptions have affected hundreds of students and interrupted learning.

Law Enforcement Response

Detectives at the NYPD’s 90th Precinct in Williamsburg say callers are masking their numbers by routing calls through a VPN, which has made tracing the source difficult. As a result, the primary immediate response reported by police has been safety sweeps of the school building.

"They all seem resigned to the fact that other than sending sweeps, nothing can be done," a frustrated parent told PEOPLE.

At a Nov. 5 town hall, NYPD officers told the school community they continued to have limited investigative options and urged anyone with tips to come forward. The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Information later emailed that, "There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing." Officials say the FBI has not publicly taken over the case and declined to comment on the record at the time.

Impact On The School Community

Brooklyn Latin shares a building with other middle- and high-school programs. Parents estimate about 800 students attend Brooklyn Latin, with roughly 600 more students in co-located programs — meaning thousands of families are affected each time the building is evacuated. Parents describe repeated fear that one of the threats could be real and frustration that communications often consist of an evacuation notice followed by a delayed text confirming safety.

"Not only was this his first choice for a specialized high school, but it is also one of the top rated schools in the nation and in New York. It is very nerve-wracking and disappointing that they are currently being targeted by constant bomb threats and the local police have yet to have control of the situation," said parent Anissa Rodriguez.

Parents reported new threats on Dec. 8 and two consecutive bomb threats called in on the morning of Dec. 9. Students also describe mounting frustration over lost instructional time. "We really just need this to stop," one student told PEOPLE.

Calls For Action

Families are asking for a clearer, coordinated investigation involving city and federal authorities, better communication about safety protocols, and faster reassurance after evacuations. The Department of Education, when reached for comment, said: "The safety of our students and staff is our very top priority. We take every threat extremely seriously, including working directly with our local law enforcement partners, to keep every person in our community safe."

The investigation remains ongoing. Officials continue to request tips from the public as families press for a more decisive response to protect the Brooklyn Latin community and reduce ongoing disruptions to students' education.