Threat Against Pinelands Regional Schools Investigated: Police

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — A threat against the Pinelands Regional School District was investigated and determined to not be valid, Little Egg Harbor officials said Tuesday.

Little Egg Harbor police said they were contacted the evening of Sept. 9 by district officials "regarding a social media screenshot making reference of a school shooting."

"According to school administration, the message was brought to their attention after being circulated among students," police said.

The threat could not be authenticated, and the post referenced Mercer County but did not mention Little Egg Harbor, Little Egg Harbor School District Superintendent Lisa M. Antunes said.

There was an increased police presence at both Pinelands Regional and Little Egg Harbor schools Tuesday morning, however, out of "an abundance of caution."

"All students arrived safely to school today, and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local police department for their invaluable assistance in handling this situation. Their presence and support helped ensure a smooth and safe start to the day," said Pinelands Regional Superintendent Melissa McCooley.

"It is an incredibly unsettling feeling for everyone when incidents such as this occur," Antunes said. "Please be assured that the safety of our entire school community, both students and staff, is our utmost priority and we are committed to ensuring our facilities are safe and secure, to the extent that it is possible to do so."

Antunes encouraged parents to speak with their children about the proper use of social media and reporting dangerous messages as soon as possible.

"We appreciate your ongoing support and patience as we navigate these challenging situations," McCooley said. "It is unfortunate that social media continues to have such an impact on our schools, but together, we will continue to prioritize the safety of our students and staff."