Westfield Increases Police Presence At Schools Following Threats

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Town officials are increasing police presence at all district schools beginning Monday and running through the end of the school year due to three recent threats reported at Edison Intermediate School.

The presence will include primarily of patrol car presence, with a police officer on foot as warranted.

The Board of Education and town will discuss what permanent police measures can be implemented when the new school year begins in September, according to a joint statement from Westfield Board of Education President Gretchan Ohlig and Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle.

The first incident was reported on Feb. 21 when a suspicious phone call was received by police. (See Related: Westfield's Edison School Placed In Lockdown Following Call)

A 911 caller said they were being physically harmed and then immediately hung up, police reported.

The call was found to have been made from the area of Edison Intermediate School, causing police to notify the principal.

The school district initially implemented a lockdown, and then was changed to a “shelter in place” as police tried searching for the person in distress to see if they needed of medical attention.

During the “shelter in place,” normal classroom activities resumed. Once the caller was identified and it was determined that no threat was present, the "shelter in place" was lifted, police reported.

The second incident occurred a week later on Feb. 28 when police reporting getting a potential unspecified social media threat against Edison Intermediate School and the administration. (See Related: 'Unspecified Threat' Causes Evacuation At Westfield School)

The school was evacuated until police confirmed that no threats were present. Students then went back into the building and normal school activities resumed, police reported.

The person who made the social media post was identified and is being addressed administratively by school officials and a police investigation is continuing, police reported.

The third incident occurred on Thursday, March 1 when an Edison Intermediate School student reported to the school administration that a possible threat against the school was written in a restroom.

The police were notified, and after meeting with the principal and investigating the vandalism, it was determined that the threat was not credible. An investigation is currently underway to identify the vandal, police reported.

"It is important to emphasize that, while the uncertainty around these events can be concerning, at no time was the safety of any students or faculty compromised," according to the joint statement.

The BOE and town also will be working to establish consistent communication protocols between the police, the school district and the public for any future incidents that will better inform parents about the nature and severity of a threat as soon as it is determined, without compromising the safety and security of students or any ongoing investigations.

"This is certainly a remarkable time with respect to school security requiring unprecedented cooperation between the Town and the Board of Education," according to the statement. "It is always difficult to assess the most effective way to communicate in a crisis when the top priority is the safety of our students and staff. We will continue to work together and learn from every incident."

(Image via Shutterstock)

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