TikTok Threat Results In More Police At Princeton Schools

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

"The Princeton Police Department is aware of the nationwide TikTok challenge and is working closely with local law enforcement and the school administrators. You may see an increased police presence at the schools throughout the day," the police department said.

In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Carol Kelley said after speaking with the local police department, the threat has been deemed "non-credible."

"Nonetheless, in light of recent events both locally and nationally, there will be an increased police presence tomorrow within our PPS schools. This police presence is in addition to building monitors who are on site daily at each school throughout the District," Kelley said.

"Please know that the health and safety of our students and staff are our top priority. Rest assured that we take any threat of violence seriously and work quickly and collaboratively with our local law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our school community."

As a message of strength and solidarity against school violence, and in collaboration with Princeton High School, Princeton Middle School, Community Park, Johnson Park, Riverside, and Littlebrook leaders and administration, Kelley asked the PPS community to wear school spirit wear, school colors, or orange (to represent anti-gun violence) on Friday.

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 Tik Tok 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

(With reporting from Karen Wall, Patch Staff)

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