Social Media Threat At Middle School Investigated By Berkeley Police

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township police said an investigation at Central Regional Middle School found no threat to students, staff or the public after a juvenile student's social media post raised concern and later misinformation spread online.

According to the Berkeley Township Police Department, security staff at Central Regional Middle School were made aware on April 30 of a concerning social media post by a juvenile student at the school. Security staff notified the Berkeley Township Police Department school resource officer assigned to the school, prompting what the department described as an immediate investigation into any potential threat to students or staff.

The police department said the Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau was also contacted to assist with the investigation. After reviewing the reported social media post, police said no threat was found. The department said all involved students and their guardians were contacted by law enforcement, and it was confirmed again that there was no threat to the public or the school.

Police said misinformation then began spreading through social media around the community and school district on May 1. According to the department, the Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau conducted additional follow-up investigations because of that misinformation. Police said those follow-up investigations again found no threat to staff, students or the community.

The department asked anyone with information related to the incident that they believe is important for law enforcement to know to contact the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau. According to the department, tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the police department's tip line or by using the crime tip link on the department website.

The police department also urged parents to monitor their children's social media use. According to the department, spreading misinformation on social media could cause widespread alarm and panic to the public and is a crime in New Jersey.