All clear at South Brunswick school after scare; Other schools locked down in separate incidents
SOUTH BRUNSWICK (WABC) -- Students returned to class after a misunderstanding sparked a lockdown and evacuation at an elementary school in New Jersey Monday morning, and it was just one of a string of incidents reported across the Tri-State area.
The incident happened at Indian Fields Elementary School in South Brunswick around 10 a.m., when a man and woman were buzzed into the school but never came to the main office.
A heavy police presence responded, and about 600 students were evacuated to the school field while the building was searched.
South Brunswick police gave the all-clear about an hour later, with authorities saying the individuals were to give a presentation at the library but went to the wrong school. They then left Indian Fields but didn't tell anyone.
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Elsewhere, Maple Hill Elementary School in Middletown, New York, was on lockdown and lockout after a threat was called into the building. Police investigated and cleared the school, which has since resumed normal operation. All children are safe and secure. Field day at the school will be rescheduled.
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Newark police officers were dispatched to Ivy Hill Elementary School on reports of a suspicious person in the building with a weapon. Upon arriving on the scene, officers from the Emergency Response Unit were informed by the school's principal that several students reported that a 14-year-old male and current student brought a handgun to school. The student in question was located and held until a protective sweep of the school was conducted. ESU along with officers from the Essex County Sherriff's K-9, and several other police units completed a protective sweep and cleared the scene.
The lockdown was lifted and parents were allowed to take their children home during this procedure. There were no reported injuries to any students or faculty members. The protective sweep was negative for a weapon, and the 14-year-old child was released to his parents' custody. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office will follow up.
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The Passaic County Sheriff's Office says the bomb squad responded to West Milford High School and Macopin Middle School in West Milford after a threatening message was made to Macopin. Police were called immediately, and students and staff were evacuated. Police and the Passaic County Sheriff's Department inspected the building, and once cleared, students and staff returned to the school at approximately 11:50 a.m. Police will remain on campus for the rest of the school day.
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Cresskill Junior-Senior High School in Cresskill was locked down after a threatening phone call. Police believe the threatening phone call was a swatting incident. All the students are safe.
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Cranford High School and Brookside Place School in Cranford were placed on lockdown after what school officials say was an anonymous phone call at 10 a.m., making an unsubstantiated threat. Normal class schedule resumed around 1:30 p.m. after Cranford police and the Union County Sheriff's Office concluded their investigations and determined that it was safe for all school and after-school activities.
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Liberty Middle School in West Orange was locked down after the building received a threatening phone call. The West Orange Police Department and the Essex County Sherriff's Department responded to the building, conducted a sweep, and the all clear was given. All students and faculty are fine and have resumed normal activities. Dismissal will be conducted as usual.
