The following is a message from Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck:

* RE: Recent Shooting Incident Headlines *

Across the nation, the world, and here in New York State—communities are facing growing concerns related to targeted acts of violence directed at specific individuals or groups. These incidents can occur in many settings, including schools, workplaces, and other public or private spaces. Almost daily, we see new headlines involving acts of targeted violence. We cannot bury our heads in the sand or assume that such an act could never happen in our community. Taking a proactive approach to prevention significantly increases the likelihood that we never become that headline, and prevention must remain a shared community responsibility.

In many cases, individuals who commit acts of violence display warning signs in advance. These may include concerning statements, written or electronic messages, changes in behavior, or actions that suggest an intent to cause harm. When identified early, these indicators provide a critical opportunity for intervention and support before a situation escalates into a crisis.

To address this concern, Lauren Walsh, Cayuga County Director of Community Services and Cayuga County Mental Health, and I established a Threat Assessment Team in 2022. This collaborative partnership brings together the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, Cayuga County Community Mental Health Center, Cayuga County Department of Social Services, Cayuga County Probation Department, the Auburn Police Department, Cayuga Counseling, Cayuga Centers, Cayuga County school districts, and other community partners. This multidisciplinary team works collectively to identify, assess, and manage concerning behaviors with the goal of preventing violence and promoting community safety.

This effort is not punitive in nature. Instead, it emphasizes early identification, communication, safety planning, and ongoing monitoring. The goal is to help move individuals away from a pathway toward violence while ensuring appropriate supports and resources are in place. Our shared objective is to protect the safety and well-being of students, staff, families, and the broader community.

The success of this work depends on public awareness and involvement. Community members are encouraged to report concerning behaviors or threats—whether spoken, written, gestured, or communicated electronically—to school officials or law enforcement. Threats may be explicit or implied and may be directed at a specific individual or communicated to others. Behaviors such as weapon possession, menacing actions, or expressions of intent to cause harm should always be taken seriously.

If you see something that concerns you, please say something. Reporting a concern is not about getting someone in trouble; it is about getting people help and preventing harm. Your willingness to speak up may allow for intervention before a situation becomes a crisis.

Concerning behavior can be reported in the following ways:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency

• Submit information through the Sheriff’s Office “Send a Tip” page at: https://www.cayugacounty.gov/452/Send-a-Tip

• Use the SaferWatch mobile application. To access or download the free app, visit https://www.cayugacounty.us/1894/SaferWatch or search “SaferWatch” in your app store. Reports may be submitted anonymously.

• Call 911 in an emergency.

By working together—families, schools, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and community members—we can strengthen prevention efforts, reduce risk, and continue to make Cayuga County a safe place to live, learn, and work.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to community safety. – Sheriff Brian Schenck