Teacher Arrest Prompts Increased Security In Cranford School

CRANFORD, NJ - The Cranford Police Department will have an increased presence at Orange Avenue School on Monday, in wake of the arrest of teacher Matthew Acosta who faces one count of third degree terroristic threats and one count of fourth degree risking widespread injury or damage for an incident that happened at the school Friday.

"We know that families may have concerns as school approaches on Monday. Please know that Chief (Ryan) Greco will be arranging for a strong and visible police presence on Monday morning," Superintendent Scott Rubin said.

Greco told Patch that he has been in constant contact with Rubin since the incident and while there will be an increased police presence on Monday, it will not be at the expense of other schools or the community.

"Because this threat was specifically affecting Orange Avenue School we are increasing our presence there but we will not be taking resources away from anything to do so," Greco said. "We'll have plainclothes officers and patrol guys there as well."

Rubin said in an email that late Friday afternoon a faculty member reported to Orange Avenue School Principal Marc Edery that another faculty member made a threat against Orange Avenue School. Edery immediately contacted Cranford Police Department, who conducted an investigation and arrested the 33-year-old Acosta of Kenilworth Friday night.

Acosta was charged with one count of third degree terroristic threats and one count of fourth degree risking widespread injury or damage on Friday.

Acosta was remanded to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing, police said. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Cranford Police Department Investigative Division.

Greco told Patch that Acosta is still lodged in Union County Jail pending a detention hearing on Thursday Nov. 8.

Rubin said that the arrest has had many in the community reaching out to him asking about the hiring process for faculty.

"Please know that it is a very thorough process which culminates with fingerprinting and a State and Federal Criminal History Review," Rubin said. "All staff members must and have gone through this process."

Rubin said that Edery will be meeting with faculty in advance of school Monday, with a focus of ensuring students feel comfortable and safe.

"Staff will be provided with common language they will share with students in the event that they have questions or express concerns and teachers will be extra vigilant and supportive as they also ensure that students feel safe and secure," Rubin said.

Rubin also noted that Lisa Burfeindt, the Director of School Counseling, has arranged for extra counselors to be available to speak to any student who may need to talk with someone.

According to statute N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2(c) fourth degree risking widespread injury or damage is when a person who knowingly or recklessly fails to take reasonable measures to prevent or mitigate widespread injury or damage. The crime is rated as fourth degree, if:

• He knows that he is under an official, contractual or other legal duty to take such measures
• He did or assented to the act causing or threatening the injury or damage.

Widespread injury or damage means serious bodily injury to five or more people or damage to five or more habitations or to a building which would normally have contained 25 or more persons at the time of the offense, the statute reads.
The New Jersey Terroristic Threats Law is contained at N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3 is defined as:

• A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if he threatens to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, or otherwise to cause serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. A violation of this subsection is a crime of the second degree if it occurs during a declared period of national, State or county emergency. The actor shall be strictly liable upon proof that the crime occurred, in fact, during a declared period of national, State or county emergency. It shall not be a defense that the actor did not know that there was a declared period of emergency at the time the crime occurred.
• A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if he threatens to kill another with the purpose to put him in imminent fear of death under circumstances reasonably causing the victim to believe the immediacy of the threat and the likelihood that it will be carried out.

Rubin thanked Edery, Greco and the entire Cranford Police Department for acting so quickly and for doing what they do to protect the community.

"I am deeply saddened that this event occurred, but I am so appreciative of the collective response of Orange Avenue School Administration, OAS Staff, and the Cranford Police Department as we work together to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students," Rubin said.

For his part, Greco said the Police Department will continue to monitor the situation and will react accordingly.

"If we decide we need more presence in the school or for longer then that is what we'll do," Greco said.

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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