Middle School Student Sets Off False Alarm

Chief of Police Frank Papapietro said that a student at the middle school who admitted to setting off a fire alarm Wednesday was charged with "False Public Alarms."

Papapietro said that the New Milford Police and Fire departments responded to a fire alarm activation call at David E. Owens Middle School at approximately 10 am on Wednesday, May 16. As is standard procedure, the alarm resulted in the evacuation of the school. 

Papapietro said that after checking the building, officials determined that the alarm was set off "as a result of a pull station activation."

"The school administration and School Resource Officer Keith Wester checked bathroom logs and reviewed surveillance tapes and developed a suspect who is a student at the school," Papapietro reported.  

Papapietro said that the student was taken into custody and, with parents present, was interviewed by P.O. Wester and Det. Sgt. Brian Long. During the interview the student admitted to setting off the alarm. 

Papapietro said that a juvenile complaint was signed charging the student with False Public Alarms, a third degree crime. The matter has been referred to Juvenile Court. 

"As the school year winds down we generally see an increase in such activity," Papapietro said. "The New Milford Police Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute anyone who deliberately disrupts the functions of our schools." 

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