LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is hitting back after NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton was critical of LAUSD's decision to close public schools throughout the district following a threat.  It's too soon to know if the threat is a hoax or a credible threat to the district's 640,000 students, and some 70,000 employees.  Bratton and other NYC officials deemed a similar threat to the public schools in New York to be a hoax and schools remained open today.  Two cities and two very different approaches to a possible crisis.  Both Beck and Bratton have plenty of experience in crisis communication.  But I have to wonder why Bratton found it necessary to publically criticize LA's decision at this stage.  The all clear has not been called.  He is a former LAPD Chief and perhaps he believes that gives him some ownership too.  

At a news conference Beck said it was "irresponsible to criticize the decision."  He spoke of the tough times we are living in and said that LAUSD officials have three quarters of a million lives to consider when a decision like this is made.  Beck's comments were measured and he came off as reasonable, not angry.  

Combing through social media posts, I have found many parents and teachers support LAUSD's decision.  

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