Shelter In Place Lifted After Another Suspicious Call In Holmdel

For the second time this week, school officials in Holmdel received a suspicious call, prompting police to respond to a local school, according to school officials and police.

Police had placed William R. Satz School and Holmdel High School in “Shelter in Place’ status Thursday, but that was lifted around 10:40 a.m., according to a Tweet from police.

Village and Indian Hill schools were also initially placed in “Secure the Building” mode, but that was also lifted and normal operations have returned, according to a Tweet from the district.

The call was made to the William R. Satz School, police said.

Police will monitor all schools all day, according to a notice posted on the district’s website.

In a note from School Superintendent Barbara Duncan, posted on the district’s website, she said:

“Along with other school districts in New Jersey, as well as the rest of the Country, Holmdel has received several threatening messages to our schools that turned out to be hoaxes. These calls get immediate and serious attention from the school administration and the Holmdel Police.

The Holmdel Police Department and Police Departments from neighboring communities have provided protection and surveillance during these trying times.

The Holmdel Board of Education Buildings, Grounds and Safety Committee met Monday to discuss short term and long term enhancements to our security plans. In addition, I am in frequent communication with the Chief of Police and the Mayor regarding our current situation. While the investigation into the source of these calls continues, we will also continue to work in a cooperative effort to ensure the students remain safe. I will update the community as I have more information to share.”

Holmdel schools have been the target of hoax calls - or swatting -- in which callers make false reports to elicit a police response.

The other four cases all occurred on Tuesdays, including a case two days ago, and cases last week, May 5 and March 31.

Princeton schools have faced similar swatting problems, including an incident Thursday morning, when Princeton police said the high school received a threat via phone.

Police there said they believe “all of our incidents are connected to each other as well as connected to the other state and national investigations.”

They are working with federal, state and other local law enforcement agencies, Princeton police said.