TikTok Threat Results In More Police Presence At Edison Schools

EDISON, NJ — The Edison Police Department has increased its presence at all township schools on Friday after a nationwide TikTok "challenge" encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools.

In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Bernard Bragen informed parents and guardians that there was no evidence of any threat to Edison schools.

"I have been in contact with the Edison Police department and must stress that we have absolutely no evidence of any kind relating these threats to the Edison School District," Bragen said. "As a precaution, there will be an increased police presence around the district during the school day." Bragen also asked parents to speak to their children on the importance of speaking up and reporting any concerns relating to school safety.

Multiple law enforcement agencies across the state 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.

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 TikTok 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.

It also comes 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

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