The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Police has launched an investigation into a threat found scribbled on the wall of a bathroom at a charter school in Newark.
According to a statement released by Kipp NJ Newark Collegiate Academy spokeswoman Ms. Jessica Shearer, police responded to 129 Littleton Avenue -the site of the old Newark West Ward Boys and Girls Club- to investigate reports of a threat found written on the wall of a boy's bathroom at around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday.
According to police, the message reportedly revealed that on Friday, students and staff would incur bodily harm by an unspecified means.
Spokeswoman Shearer said when staff members found the threat, it was properly recorded then handed over to authorities in an effort to allow experts to assist in determining the person or persons who involved then assessed the validity of the threat.
According to Spokeswoman Shearer, police determined that there was no immediate danger to staff or students.
“We took additional action by removing the students who were allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation”
Police and school administrators were observed monitoring students after school on Thursday and today -Friday-. There were no suspicious incidents reported during the students’ departure.
”We take student safety very seriously and regularly practice emergency drills so that our students remain calm and know how to act safely in any type of situation.
Utilizing proper protocol and procedures allowed staff and authorities to act immediately and efficiently” according to Spokeswoman Shearer.
”We will continue to be vigilant to ensure that the school offers all of our staff and students a safe and secure learning environment that they can thrive in”.
The incident remains under investigation.