John Jay High School Lockout: Police Activity Near I-84 Delays Dismissal
On September 15th, John Jay High School in the Wappingers Central School District initiated a lockout at 2:13 p.m. due to a "police matter near Interstate 84 (I-84)," resulting in a delayed afternoon dismissal. The incident prompted cancellation of after-school activities and impacted elementary bus routes.
Details of the Lockout and Police Response
According to a message from Wappingers Superintendent of Schools Dwight Bonk, the lockout was implemented as a "safety precaution." Bonk assured that "the safety of all of our students and staff has not been impacted by this incident." Initial requests for comment were directed from the East Fishkill Police Department to the New York State Police, and then to the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, who were reportedly leading the investigation.
While details were initially scarce, the district announced at 3:37 p.m. that police activity in the Wiccopee area had concluded. Dismissal commenced shortly after, at 3:42 p.m. East Fishkill Police Department provided additional officers on site during dismissal and escorted buses "traversing the areas of interest" as a precaution.
Impact on Bus Routes
The lockout caused significant delays for numerous elementary bus routes within the district. These routes included: MCV04P, FPV03P, KRV03P, GHV01P, EVV01P, FKV01, DPH03P, DPH04P, LWPV01P, MC07P, MC08P, MC10P, MC12P, MC13P, MC14P, MC16P, MZT01P, GH04P, GH03P, GH16P, GH11P, GH02P, GH08P, GH12P, GH01P, FI01P, FI02P, FI04P, FP01P, FP09P, BR01P, BR02P, BR04P, BR05P and BR09P.
Related Police Chase on Route 9 and I-84
The "police matter" near I-84 was connected to a chase that started on Route 9. Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Brandon C. Waller, 23, of Brooklyn, on Monday, September 15th, after he fled a traffic stop near Indian Brook Road. The pursuit ended on eastbound Interstate 84.
Deputies were alerted at approximately 1:15 p.m. to a vehicle entering Putnam County from Westchester on Route 9, suspected of involvement in a theft. After being pulled over, the driver, later identified as Waller, sped away through Fishkill before entering I-84. The vehicle ultimately went off the road west of the Lime Kiln Road exit and caught fire.
Two passengers were apprehended at the scene, while Waller fled into the woods. He was apprehended at approximately 4:30 p.m. and charged with several misdemeanors including reckless endangerment, criminal impersonation, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, and reckless driving. He was released pending a court appearance. The passengers were not charged.
