‘Social Media Threat To Harm Teachers’ At Essex County School: Police

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County school closed down and dismissed students on Friday after police received a report about a “social media threat to harm teachers,” authorities say.

Detectives launched an investigation shortly after midnight after the alleged online “threat” was made to the staff at North Star Academy School in Newark, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

“After conferring with the school’s principal, school officials decided to dismiss the students and to close the school,” Newark police stated.

Police are conducting an active investigation and have implemented “additional security measures” at the school with the assistance of North Star Academy.

Barbara Martinez, chief external officer at Uncommon Schools, provided Patch with the following statement about the incident:

"In response to information about a social media threat to teachers at one of our North Star Academy campuses, North Star took immediate action and closed one of our campuses today. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. No other North Star campuses were included in this threat; as a result, the remaining campuses stayed open and our internal security team ensured that they have remained safe throughout the day. North Star Academy takes student and staff safety seriously and has been working with Newark Police Department in investigating this threat. We will update our community as more information becomes available."

Anyone with information regarding the threat to call the department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips may also be made using the police division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through its smartphone app available at iTunes and Google Play.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com