By WPRO Newsroom

Three communities are on guard after a letter threatening to behead elementary school children was sent to the Johnston Police.

According to a statement from Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamburini, the letter sent on Tuesday includes a physical threat to elementary school students in Johnston, Cranston and Warwick to be carried out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Warwick Police Chief Stephen McCartney told the WPRO Morning News with Gene Valicenti that the contents of the letter are chilling.

“There was a specific mention of elementary schools in this letter, the other thing which was the specific type of threat, which was beheading, is planned,” said McCartney.

McCartney said both the FBI and State Police are assisting the Johnston Police in their investigation and in the meantime a police officer is being placed at each elementary school listed. He also stated he is encouraging parents to let their children go to school.

“The schools may be the safest place to be right now,” said McCartney, “The intent of the Warwick Police Department is to allow the education of the students to continue safely.”

Authorities have not determined if there is any validity to the threat.

Listen to Gene’s interview below: