Parents Express Safety Concerns Following Dual Bank Robberies

A resident expressed concern over the Syosset School District's response to two nearby bank robberies at Monday's Syosset Board of Education meeting. The burglaries occurred along Jericho Turnpike Friday morning and afternoon close to Syosset schools. 

Superintendent Ronald L. Friedman posted a letter Tuesday on the district's website stating that the school district was aware of a burglary at the Chase Bank on Jericho Turnpike and South Woods Road last Friday and was not compelled to go into lockdown.

However, reads the letter, police did not inform the district nor nearby Robbins Lane Elementary of a robbery at the CitiBank on Robbins Lane and Jericho Turnpike just hours later. 

Friedman assured parents in the letter, printed below, that police will inform the district in the threat of danger and the school will continue to take a proactive stance to protect children.

The full letter is as follows:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I have been hearing today of some concerns in our community about a bank robbery that happened in our district last Friday, November 15. Here are the facts of relevance. 

There actually were two bank robberies in our area last Friday. At about 9 a.m., the Chase Bank at South Woods Road and Jericho Turnpike was robbed. We heard about it and district office staff contacted the Second Precinct. We were advised that there was no threat to our schools or community, and no need to lock down or take any other action whatsoever. 

At about 1 p.m., another robbery occurred, this one at the Citibank at the corner of Robbins Lane and Jericho Turnpike. Neither the district nor the school was informed of this robbery by the police, or by anyone else for that matter, so we had no knowledge that it had happened. 

The appropriate division of the Nassau County Police Department, which often but not always is the local precinct, informs the district and any relevant school if there is any event that they believe constitutes or could constitute a danger.

Regardless of that arrangement, if we have not been contacted by the police, but we hear of any event or issue of concern to our children’s safety, we will do what is needed to protect our children, and we will also reach out to the authorities of relevance to learn more about the issue and circumstances. 

For those present at last night’s school board meeting, a question was asked about Friday’s bank robbery, and, not knowing about the Citibank robbery, I answered regarding the first (Chase Bank) robbery.   

Sincerely,  Ronald L. Friedman 

Tell us, are you concerned for your child's safety following the recent robberies in the area?