A now-deleted social media post by Kingston school board Trustee Anthony Fitzpatrick in which he holds a knife inside a restroom at the Ulster County Office Building has triggered security concerns and his temporary banning from the premises.
The post appeared shortly after the April 15 Ulster County Legislature meeting, where Fitzpatrick, dressed in formal attire, suggested in a caption that the knife went undetected due to his clothing. While he addressed lawmakers to thank them for supporting Ukraine, he did not mention the weapon during his remarks. When later contacted, he declined to comment.
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa confirmed the photo was taken inside a restroom at the county building. Although officials determined Fitzpatrick wasn’t an immediate threat, he has been barred from entering the building until further notice. Any attempt to return could result in trespassing charges.
Security protocols at the county facility currently involve handheld wands, but the incident has prompted officials to consider more robust measures. County Executive Jen Metzger labeled the situation a serious breach, while Republican lawmakers are calling for a criminal investigation, citing public safety failures.
Legislature Chairman Peter Criswell criticized Fitzpatrick’s conduct, especially given his role on the school board. Superintendent Paul Padalino said the district would review the matter, noting that board meetings are held in a building shared with pre-K classrooms and administrative offices — none of which have metal detectors in place.
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