High School Lockdown In North Jersey Was Part Of Dangerous Trend: Official

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Hoboken High School went into lockdown Tuesday afternoon due to a "threat," the district's superintendent sent a letter Wednesday night explaining what had happened. READ MORE: Hoboken High School Goes Into Lockdown

Around 3:10 on Tuesday, the city told residents to avoid streets near the high school because of a police investigation. The school's principal also sent a message saying that her office had received a call around 2:45 p.m. that "may or may not be deemed a threat."

Students stayed in their classrooms and were dismissed late.

At the same time, officials sent messages trying to quell rumors about immigration agents or active shooters.

On Wednesday night, Superintendent of Schools Christine Johnson said that the matter was part of a dangerous trend that had afflicted other North Jersey schools recently as well.

Dangerous Trend

"Across New Jersey and the nation, schools have experienced what are known as swatting incidents," Johnson wrote. "Swatting is the act of making a false report to law enforcement, often claiming there is an active shooter or other imminent threat, with the intent of triggering a large emergency response. These calls are hoaxes, but they are taken seriously because the potential risk to life is real."

She noted that at least four other North Jersey high schools had received such threats. On the same day that Hoboken High received a threat, Westfield did as well.

Officials say the practice can take law enforcement away from situations where they are needed, and puts victims at risk. In 2022, police in Maplewood rushed to a home due to a report of a shooting, and demanded via loudspeaker that the occupants come out. It was a man, woman, and toddler, 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.

Johnson said Hoboken High received a "call of this nature," but did not elaborate.

Complaints

The principal and administrators followed protocol by placing the school into lockdown, applying the state’s Behavior Threat Assessment Model, and contacting police to sweep the building, she said.

"At no time was there an active shooter in the building," Johnson wrote. "There was no weapon used or found. No one in the building was hurt. And, this incident was not related to ICE in any way.

"...The staff did an incredible job keeping the students calm and safe in their classrooms. They were caring and empathetic, and showed such a high level of professionalism." Johnson also thanked the police and parents.

Communication

Johnson explained why communication may have seemed slow on Tuesday.

"I understand that we have all become accustomed to rapid information, due to smart phones and social media," she wrote. "We may occasionally pause before issuing public statements ... this is never to withhold information, but instead to ensure that what we share is factual and does not compromise the integrity of the investigation...

"I can say confidently that we learned from this situation. The high school administrative team and I debriefed last night. We discussed everything from response time to logistics of the lockdown, and even the dismissal."

At 4:35 p.m. Tuesday, the city sent an alert saying the police had cleared the school and determined there is "no threat at this time."

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