As the nation and the world at large face growing concerns of targeted violence, Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck is reminding the public of the county’s threat assessment team.
“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,” said Sheriff Schenck.
In a letter, Sheriff Schenck said individuals who commit acts of violence typically display warning signs in advance of any action. He added that signs include concerning statements, written or electronic messages, changes in behavior, or actions that suggest an intent to cause harm. Identifying and addressing these signs can lead to critical intervention and support to prevent the situation from escalating or becoming a tragedy.
In 2022, Sheriff Schenck and Lauren Walsh, Cayuga County Director of Community Services and Cayuga County Mental Health, established a Threat Assessment Team, a partnership between 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 designed to identify, assess, and manage concerning behaviors to help prevent violence and ensure community safety.
The sheriff described the effort as “not punitive in nature. Instead, it emphasizes early identification, communication, safety planning, and ongoing monitoring.”
Underscoring the public’s awareness and involvement in this effort for its success, the sheriff is reminding the public that concerning behaviors and threats should be reported to school officials or law enforcement. 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,” said Sheriff Brian Schenck.
Thank you for your partnership and commitment to community safety,” said Sheriff Brian Schenck.
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