Alleged threats at 2 New Jersey schools have parents on edge

<p>Threats allegedly made against two New Jersey schools have parents scared and officials increasing security.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2018, 9:37 AM

Updated 2,018 days ago

Share:

Threats allegedly made against two New Jersey schools have parents scared and officials increasing security.
Classes were canceled in Garfield Tuesday because of a threat made on social media against Garfield High School. Officials there said that the threats were “credible enough” to warrant closing the school for the day.
"There was a threat that an incident could take place at the school [Tuesday], so we erred on the side of caution and decided to call off school so that our students and our teachers would be safe,” said Garfield City Manager Thomas Duch.
Police said they have detected the origin of the post and found no threat. School will be back in session Wednesday.
But officials in Manville say that a threat made against the school, wasn’t a threat at all. Security at the school as increased Tuesday after messages began appearing on social media warning of a possible threat to the school.
School officials say that it was simply a rumor, and not a threat at all. Law enforcement officials deemed the school safe.
"Several have asked how the school and law enforcement deemed the threat to be not credible. The simple answer is that a threat was never actually made to the students of Manville High School. Overhearing ‘tomorrow is the day’ without any context doesn't constitute the threat of a school shooting,” said Manville School Superintendent Robert Beers at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.
But despite attempts to calm parents’ nerves, many said that they were still worried about the safety of their children. About 250 students stayed home from school Tuesday, even though the school was opened.
“I do not feel confident sending my son to school [Wednesday],” said one mother at the meeting. “I’m going to worry about this all tomorrow when I’m at work…because I feel like the threats were real.”
The police and prosecutors office have closed this case in terms of their investigation. But district officials say that they will continue to look into how this all got so out of hand. They say that they will continue to work with parents and the community to figure out how to better communicate and deal with these situations in the future.


More from News 12
WATCH LIVE: Gov. Phil Murphy answers viewers’ questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Phil Murphy answers viewers’ questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

1:14
Plenty of sunshine today with cooler temps for New Jersey; freeze watch until Friday

Plenty of sunshine today with cooler temps for New Jersey; freeze watch until Friday

2:16
‘One of our worst corridors in terms of accidents.’ Goal Zero aims to make Route 9 safer

‘One of our worst corridors in terms of accidents.’ Goal Zero aims to make Route 9 safer

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:44
NJ Transit rail service into and out of Penn Station New York now operating on or close to schedule

NJ Transit rail service into and out of Penn Station New York now operating on or close to schedule

0:25
4 kittens left outside in the cold in front of Humane Society in Plainfield

4 kittens left outside in the cold in front of Humane Society in Plainfield

1:38
PSE&G celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

PSE&G celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

0:30
NJ Forest Fire Service: 510-acre wildfire in Wharton State Forest now 100% contained

NJ Forest Fire Service: 510-acre wildfire in Wharton State Forest now 100% contained

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:50
Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:25
Asbury Park man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2021 home invasion, sex assault

Asbury Park man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2021 home invasion, sex assault

0:26
Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

0:24
Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

2:16
Law enforcement resumes search in Manorville in connection with Gilgo Beach case

Law enforcement resumes search in Manorville in connection with Gilgo Beach case

0:36
New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for April 25

Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for April 25

1:13
The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill

The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill