High School In Bergen County Goes Into Lockdown Due To Hoax: Police

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A high school in Bergen County reopened on Friday afternoon after a threat sent the building into lockdown.

The threat was determined to be a case of "swatting," said Glen Rock police around 6 p.m. Swatting is a common hoax that has recently hit other North Jersey high schools.

Police said that just after noon on Friday, the Glen Rock Police Department’s regional dispatch center and the main office at Glen Rock High School/Middle School received a phone call reporting a possible threat to the school building.

School administrators followed established safety protocols, and the building was placed in lockdown while police responded.

Police and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team searched the building for an intruder but couldn't find anyone.

The Bergen County Bomb Squad also responded and searched the buildling using explosive detection K-9 units, police said.

Members of the Glen Rock Fire Department and Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps were placed on standby.

Police from other towns assisted at the scene, including with
"crowds of parents who arrived at the school out of concern for their children."

No threats or suspicious items were found at the school after an "exhaustive" search, said Police Chief Dean Ackermann.

The scene was cleared by law enforcement just before dismissal on Friday.

Detectives from the Glen Rock Police Department, along with the Intelligence Unit of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, are continuing to investigate the source of the call, police said.

"The safety of students and staff remains the highest priority for both the Glen Rock Police Department and school officials," Ackermann said, noting that school counseling staff will be available to support any students who may have questions or concerns.

Ackermann thanked the various county and local agencies that responded, including police from Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Midland Park, and Wyckoff.

'Swatting' Trend

Swatting is the act of making a false report to law enforcement to trigger a large response, often claiming there's an immediate threat, such as a shooter.

Officials say the practice can take law enforcement away from situations where they are needed, and puts victims at risk. In 2022, police rushed to a home in Maplewood due to a report of a shooting, and demanded via loudspeaker that the occupants come out. A man, woman, and toddler emerged, and they had no idea what was happening. (READ MORE: Maplewood 'Swatting' Incident Drives Family From Home)

"Calls of this type are very serious and dangerous," said then-Police Chief James DeVaul. "It could easily have led to resistance, escalation, a use of force incident, extreme stress and anxiety for all involved."

Last year, a teenager in California was sentenced to four years in prison for making more than 300 "swatting" calls to schools and other institutions.

On Friday, a school in Clark also received a threat.

Last month, high schools in Hoboken and Westfield received threats on the same day. Hoboken High's superintendent later said their lockdown was due to a case of "swatting."