Threat prompts lockdown of Bridgeton public schools

BRIDGETON, N.J. (WPVI) -- All public schools in Bridgeton, New Jersey were placed on lockdown Tuesday because of a threat made earlier this morning.

The superintendent tells Action News that the computer generated automated call came in from a four digit number. It stated that students would be harmed.

All schools in the Bridgeton School District were immediately put in lockdown.

Police brought in canine units and swept all eight schools in the district before lifting the lockdown.

They found nothing suspicious.

Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari explained the nature of the message, saying, "It was not school specific, it was not directed at any individual or persons. But it was a general threat that harm may come to the stsudents."

Fortunately all the students were safe.

But the hoax tied up critical police resources for hours and brought normal classroom activity to a halt.

Schools Superintendent Thomsina Jones says, "Our students were here to learn. They're here to gain a high quality education, and for someone to do that was a major injustice."

That the Linwood and Mainland schools also went into lockdown today after also receiving similar automated calls.

The calls are something new in South Jersey, but they are something that have been plaguing school districts out on the West Coast for the past few months.

Bridgeton Police are investigating the origin of the call.