Politics & Government
Officers Honored For Response To 'Swatting' Incident In Barnegat
Barnegat police didn't know the Oct. 14 call was fake and entered the school, without hesitation, assuming there was an active shooter.
BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat police are being celebrated for their response to the statewide "swatting" hoax in October, where numerous New Jersey high schools received reports of active shooters.
Quickly after receiving a report of an active shooter at Barnegat High School, police responded to the building and found no indication of anything happening. Read More: 'Unfounded' Shooter Reported At Barnegat High School: Police
Committeeman Joe Marte, who honors police each month at Township Committee meetings, took time to celebrate those officers who entered the school that day. Instead of just one officer, he honored several.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The praise was met with a loud round of applause as the audience celebrated those officers.
Barnegat police received a report of an active shooting in process at Barnegat High School on Oct. 14, Marte said. The caller told dispatchers that shots had been fired, describing victims and the shooter, along with specific locations in the school where the shooting was occurring, Marte said.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Patrolmen Mike Moore, Ed Hayes, Rich Carr, John Halliday and Brett Taylor, along with Det. William Hetrick, Lt. Jeff Ryan and Lt. Andrew Parsley "responded without hesitation," Marte said. These officers entered the school to handle the threat and ensure the safety of students and staff, he said.
Ptl. Kris Burke was off-duty but responded immediately as additional support, Marte added.
The threat turned out to be not real and part of a statewide hoax, Marte explained. Officers secured classrooms and evacuated the school.
Parsley "did an outstanding job" in taking command, Marte said.
Marte said he knew he spoke for everyone on the Committee in saying how proud they were of the officers, "who without hesitation or fear for their own safety, entered the school to secure the safety of every student and school employee."
"The courage and professionalism of all these officers is commendable and a testament to their dedication to the people of this great town," Marte said.
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