Officials: Threats made against several NJ schools Friday ‘not credible’

<p>Law enforcement officials say that suspected threats made against several New Jersey schools were &ldquo;not credible.&rdquo;</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 24, 2018, 3:41 AM

Updated 2,262 days ago

Share:

Officials: Threats made against several NJ schools Friday ‘not credible’
Law enforcement officials say that suspected threats made against several New Jersey schools were “not credible.”
Officials investigating suspected threats at a handful of New Jersey schools, including the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District and Dickenson High School in Jersey City. All of these threats were found to either be rumors or hoaxes.
In one case it was a misunderstanding. Authorities say that a hoax threat against a school in New Mexico caused Bayonne parents to panic and rush to the Bayonne High School to pick up their children. 
Police say the threat was made Wednesday by a 16-year-old student at Belen High School, about 30 south of Albuquerque. Authorities there say he wanted "to see what kind of response he would get."
The social media post allegedly made by the New Mexico teen threatened "BHS students,” the same initials as Bayonne High School. Bayonne school officials say about 500 students were pulled out of school early.
And in Nutley, a supposed threat made against a school last week resulted in a student being banned from the school.
Essex County officials say that Joseph Rafanello, 18, is charged with creating a false public alarm after posting a video to Instagram depicting gun violence.
Nutley schools were closed this week for winter break. School officials say that they plan to add new procedures to ensure safety.
All of the incidents come in the wake of a mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen students and teachers were killed after a former student opened fire inside the school on Valentine’s Day. 
Survivors of the shooting have rallied across the country to call for greater gun control. Some of the survivors will attend a meeting with Sen. Bob Menendez in Livingston on Sunday.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
1:11
Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

2:30
Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

1:50
Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

1:06
Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning