Congresswoman Waters Supports Los Angeles Unified School District's Decision to Close All Schools after Receiving Electronic Threat

Statement

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement after the Los Angeles Unified School District closed 900 schools after receiving a threat via email on Tuesday.

Congresswoman Waters' statement follows:

"I fully support the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) decision to close all schools on Tuesday after receiving an electronic threat. After thorough investigation by officials, the electronic threat against LAUSD on was determined not to be credible.

"While it is unsettling and disturbing that someone would engage in a hoax of this nature and magnitude, I am grateful that the students and citizens of Los Angeles are safe, and I remain committed to ensuring that the more than 660,000 students in the District are protected and potential dangers are thwarted.

"Although the threat was ultimately determined not to be credible, I believe that LAUSD officials carefully considered the threat and took appropriate and timely actions in the best interest of thousands of students, teachers and staff.

"Therefore, I commend the efforts of the LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines, LAUSD Police Chief Steve Zipperman, LAUSD President Steve Zimmer and the other School Board members, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council members, and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck for working collaboratively to be proactive, intentional and deliberate.

"I also commend the cooperation of the entire Los Angeles community, including parents, students and businesses that were gracious in allowing flexible work hours to accommodate parents picking up their children. Safety is the main priority, and I am committed to working with LAUSD officials and other city leaders to evaluate emergency protocol and plans when these types of threats are issued."

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