Threats on Halloween prompt Paterson schools, at least 2 other districts, to increase security
Police are investigating social media threats targeting several New Jersey and Pennsylvania school districts.
As a result of these threats, students at more than 15 Paterson schools sheltered in place during the school day, Elizabeth schools in Essex sent more police officers to patrol its buildings and Easton schools in Pennsylvania cancelled a Halloween event.
The threats may have resulted from a Snapchat post in which someone allegedly vowed to “shoot up ehs.”
It all seemed to start in Pennsylvania, where students from Easton Area High School reported a threatening Instagram post on Tuesday.
“I might shoot up ehs on Wednesday at 12:47 to make my list clear,” a screen shot of the post said, according to Easton school officials.
While officials were not certain if the reference was to Easton’s high school, an investigation involving local and federal agencies concluded there was no credible threat against the school, officials said Tuesday night.
Just to be safe, Easton school officials put extra safety precautions in place for school on Wednesday and cancelled a Halloween dress-up event planned at the high school
A threatening message directed at Elizabeth High School appeared via social media Tuesday night, according to a statement from Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer.
Police are investigating the threat but wouldn’t say if the threat was the ‘ehs’ threat that has been seen in Maryland, Texas and elsewhere by officials.
Elizabeth Police said they would maintain a presence at all city schools Wednesday as a precaution.
In Paterson, students and staff at more than 15 schools and neighboring pre-school centers are sheltering in place due to a threat at several schools, according to a release from the district.
The threats, which neither the district nor police would describe, were at Eastside High School and the John F. Kennedy Educational Complex, as well as other schools.
Classes are still in session, but neither students nor teacher are allowed to leave the building, according to the release.
New Jersey State Police, Paterson Police, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating.
Representatives from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said there was an on-going investigation and could not comment.
“Your child’s safety is always our top priority,” Paterson Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer said in a letter to parents.
“We will release more information about today’s threats as it becomes available,” she said. “In the meantime, please know that you are welcome to contact my office with any questions or concerns.”
Schools under the district’s shelter mode include:
- Edward W. Kilpatrick School
- The Roberto Clemente School
- The New Roberto Clemente School
- The Great Falls Academy
- PANTHER AcademyPublic Schools 5, 6, 11, 14, 15, 16, 19, 24, and 27
- neighboring preschool centers.
Threats against Garden State schools have soared in the last year.
The number of reported school threats in New Jersey more than doubled during the 2017-2018 academic year, according to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo.
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