Schools
Increased Police At Bridgewater Schools Due To TikTok Challenge
Bridgewater Police will be on-site at all schools throughout the day Friday.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — In response to a potentially threatening TikTok challenge that has been spreading across the country, the Bridgewater Township Police are increasing their patrols at the school district on Friday.
The TikTok challenge encouraged students to threaten gun violence at school on Dec. 17.
"Yes, there are increased patrols at all schools today," said Bridgewater Police Captain John Mitzak.
Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Read More: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert
Multiple law-enforcement agencies say they are monitoring reports of the challenge, which has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the state Department of Education's Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning alerted New Jersey districts to the Dec. 17 challenge, and several notified parents, students and staff while also taking steps to increase security.
Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The threat is a generic one to schools across the country, officials in several districts said as they tried to reassure families that students and staff will be safe.
The Tik Tok challenge comes on the heels of the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the Michigan school shooting on Nov. 30 that killed four students and injured several others.
The Dec. 17 challenge is a part of a larger series of school-based TikTok challenges targeted at young kids.
In September, a TikTok challenge encouraged students to vandalize the schools, assault staff and show their private parts.
These challenges also come after two weeks of threats and rumors against New Jersey schools, including some that involved firearms. Read more: 11 NJ School Threats, Some Involving Guns, In Past 2 Weeks
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
