White House: Response To Threats Against Schools Best Left To Local Officials
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Despite vastly different responses by Los Angeles and New York authorities to threats made against schools in their respective cities, the White House said Tuesday such decisions are best left up to local authorities.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said federal agencies are always supporting and assisting local authorities as they evaluate threats, noting that the FBI consulted with Los Angeles Unified School District officials following the threat that was received.
Earnest says local authorities make decisions based on information they receive and what they believe is in the best interests of their communities, but added that "the federal government certainly has a responsibility to support local officials as they make those decisions as they implement them."
He says that the FBI has been in touch with California law enforcement authorities.
New York City officials say they received the same threat as Los Angeles but quickly concluded it was a hoax. New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said he thought Los Angeles overreacted.
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