Middletown parents question response to school trespassing case
A township man in his mid-20s, arrested in 2023 after an incident in which he allegedly tried to grab a baton from police, was seen on the grounds of New Monmouth School two weeks ago and then at Saint Mary School.
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Middletown police say there are no credible threats at the school district after a local man, known to police, was trespassing at several schools and posting on social media.
A township man in his mid-20s, arrested in 2023 after an incident in which he allegedly tried to grab a baton from police, was seen on the grounds of New Monmouth School two weeks ago and then at Saint Mary School.
Police say the man posted videos and images of himself on school property, followed by more posts showing screenshots of guns. Parents were alerted, and police released a statement on Monday saying they spoke with him and determined the posts were not threats.
Parent Megan Kean says she was not happy with the police department’s statement online regarding the incident.
"He was in the playground. The cops were called. I live across the street there, close enough to see the lights and Middletown police informed us that [it] wasn't a credible threat," said Kean.
"We have taken every measure possible to safeguard the community, and the individual has been notified he's not allowed to enter on those properties," said Middletown Police Chief Craig Weber.
But Kean says that response fell short.
"I'm a nervous wreck. I don't want to even send them. Five hundred and eleven students to one armed officer," said Kean.
Chief Weber says he understands the parents' fears and says the man was removed from both locations.
"As a parent, you want to take every precaution possible. We work seamlessly with the school systems to act immediately to protect the community," said Weber.
Police say they are in constant communication with the school districts involved. They will be monitoring the individual's social media accounts and have been in touch with the individual and his family, who have both been cooperating with the investigation.
