Security at all Elizabeth city schools was increased Wednesday after a suspected threat was posted on social media.
Officials say that the post made Tuesday night referenced Elizabeth High School and the possibility of a shooting there.
The Elizabeth Police Department released a statement that said, "Rest assured that your school children will be safe attending school and uniformed and plainclothes police officers will be strategically assigned to the schools for the safety of staff and children. Remember if you see something say something."
Parents, teachers and students say that they were worried.
“Terrified. We don’t know if it’s a joke or if it’s a hoax. Whatever the case is, we do have to treat it as if it is the truth or if it’s serious,” says student advocate Kason Little.
Some students were kept home Wednesday as an extra precaution.
Student Moses Olowoobejo says that even if the threat was a joke, it’s not a funny one.
"I feel like there’s something lacking in their lives. They just need to talk to somebody about it rather than take actions or take measures like that because then they impact other families’ lives,” he says.
School Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer sent a letter home to parents Wednesday stating that several other
schools in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania received similar threats, some with the same wording.
Hugelmeyer assured the parents that safety is her No. 1 concern.
Law enforcement officials are investigating the threats.