Juvenile charged after text message threat to Cherry Hill High School East

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police say a juvenile has been charged in connection with a threat made to a high school in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

The youth is charged with one count of "making a false public alarm."

Police were notified of a threatening text message Sunday involving Cherry Hill High School East that was being circulated via social media.

The message's origin was pursued by police, which led to the arrest of the juvenile.

Officials say there will be an increased presence at the high school on Monday as well as ongoing police patrols at all Cherry Hill schools.

Police say it was members of the community that tipped them off to the message.

School officials sent out the following letter on Sunday:

January 31, 2016

Dear East Community,

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, the administration and the Cherry Hill Police were notified about a threatening text message involving Cherry Hill High School East that was being circulated in social media. The origin of the message was pursued by the police department's investigative unit and at this time a juvenile has been charged with one count of "making a false public alarm." The police have checked the school and they will be monitoring the area around the school during the overnight.

There will be an increased presence by the Cherry Hill Police at High School East, along with our regular Campus Police and school security staff, tomorrow, February 1, 2016.

I am grateful to the individuals who contacted the Cherry Hill Police Department and the High School East administration. Anyone with information regarding threats is asked to call the Cherry Hill Police Department at (856) 488-7828. The men and women of our police force are consistently swift and thorough in responding to issues that affect our schools and our children.

I urge everyone to be very cautious and to be thoughtful prior to posting anything on social media. The ramifications of our words, written and spoken, are long reaching.

Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Chapman if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Joseph Meloche, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Cherry Hill Public Schools