Snapchat ‘Threats’ Probed In Bloomfield, Bayonne: Police

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield authorities launched an investigation into an alleged social media “threat” that spread via Snapchat on Tuesday. Following the probe, police said that the message was not intended for Bloomfield High School.

A similar police investigation took place in Bayonne on the same day, which revealed no cause for alarm at any local schools, authorities said.

Bloomfield police issued the following advisory at 9:24 p.m.:

“The Bloomfield Police Department is aware of a threat that is circulating on social media. Detectives from our YAD have investigated the threat and determined that the threat has originated in Canada and is not intended for the Bloomfield High School. The BPD is committed to the safety of all residents and take these allegations seriously.”

Bloomfield police said that the alleged threat circulated via Snapchat. Authorities coordinated the investigation with the Belleville Police Department and spoke with students during the process.

On Wednesday, the BPD provided the following update:

"After further investigation, although there was a threat that was generated out of Canada, it has been determined that the originating post was out of Brunswick, Georgia and an arrest has been made in this case. Again, this threat was not affiliated with Bloomfield High School or any Town within New Jersey."

Bloomfield Public School District administrators released the following statement about the incident:

“A threat against the Bloomfield community has been received and forwarded to the Bloomfield police department who have investigated the text message in question and have determined that no credible threat exists against the community… Please remain hyper-vigilant and always use your good judgment and report anything that you believe suspicious directly to the Bloomfield police department authorities.”

INVESTIGATION IN BAYONNE

A similar Snapchat “threat” inspired an investigation in Bayonne on Tuesday, according to Mayor Jimmy Davis. The probe revealed “no cause for alarm at any Bayonne Schools,” he stated.

Davis wrote:

“I received a call tonight about a Snapchat message that was circulating around Bayonne this evening. This message was a threat against BHS. I immediately consulted with BPD Chief Geisler and we confirmed that this Snapchat message was for Brunswick High School (BHS) in Glynn County, GA where an arrest has been made. There is NO cause for alarm at any Bayonne Schools.”

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