Police Conduct Sweep At North Bergen High School After Shooting Threat
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A threat to "shoot up" North Bergen High School has prompted an investigation, and the school has also made sure all the students face some consequences for their own safety.
As CBS 2's Sonia Rincon reported Thursday, the threat was found scrawled on a desk in pen. It said somebody was "gonna shoot up the school on 6-6-14."
At 11 p.m., police officers were conducting a security sweep at the school with K-9 units, CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported.
Earlier, as a consequence of the threat, students carried home armloads of books and whatever else what was in their lockers out of the school. They will have to bring it all back on Monday.
Listen: North Bergen Students Ordered To Clear Lockers After School Shooting Threat
"It's really inconvenient," one student said.
As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, some students had textbooks stacked to their chins.
"It hurts our back," one said.
"Whether it was a joke or not, you're inconveniencing thousands of kids," another said.
That was just one of the inconveniences for the kids at North Bergen High School. On Friday, they will only be allowed to bring in a notebook and a pencil, and no bags.
Each student will also be scanned.
"We're going to have security from the district as well as police officers, and we'll wand everybody as they come in through the door," said District Supt. Dr. George Solter.
Solter said school officials do not think the threat is credible, but it has to be treated like the real thing.
"Hopefully the parents will understand that what we're doing is we're thinking of their children's safety first," he said.
The students did understand – at least some of them.
"I'm glad they're taking the precautions that they are, because you know, just in case something does happen -- you know, we have to be prepared," said senior Grace Valentin. "You can't take a chance."
"A lot of kids have problems," said senior Stephanie Peguero. "You never know what could happen."
Some thought all this inconvenience would discourage more threats, but others thought it was encouraging whoever did it.
"I think they're, like, laughing right now because of what they're doing to the entire school – like, this is crazy," said junior Alia Ibrahim. "These are a lot of books that we have to carry and bring back, and school's over next week – like, it's so unnecessary."
And despite the district's efforts, many nervous parents decided not to send their children to school on Friday.
"Well tomorrow, I plan on keeping her home for safety precautions," said parent Tammy Schirrmacher. "I mean, you never do know in today's society."
Students who did not clean out their lockers will find those lockers clipped and cleared out on Friday.
School officials said whoever made that threat, whether it was real or not, is in serious trouble and will likely be suspended for at least 10 days if they're caught.
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