By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Bergen County have charged three teenagers in connection with false threats made against two local schools.
According to information released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, a 16-year-old from Bergen County, a 15-year-old from Bergen County, and a 15-year-old from the Bronx, New York, face charges related to false public alarm and terroristic threats.
The investigation began on January 23, 2025, when police departments in Fairview and Ridgefield Park received separate phone calls threatening shootings at Lincoln Elementary School in Fairview and Ridgefield Park Junior/Senior High School.
The callers used technology to mask their identities, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement, the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, and other assisting agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Authorities later determined the threats were a hoax, and an investigation led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit traced the calls back to the three juveniles.
Law enforcement confirmed that while the threats targeted different school districts, they were connected.
All three teens were located and taken into custody between February 7 and February 13, 2025.
They were later charged with juvenile delinquency for making false public alarms and terroristic threats. 
Following their arrests, they were released to the custody of their guardians and are awaiting further legal proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court’s Family Law Division.
Authorities continue to stress the seriousness of such threats, even when intended as pranks, as they place significant strain on emergency responders and create unnecessary panic within school communities.