What to Know
- A student allegedly posted threats to Livingston High School on Facebook
- Parents were afraid to sent their kids to school Monday and the superintendent said the threats were being investigated
- Although the threats weren't deemed credible, parents are asking how police came to that conclusion
Parents are concerned and police are on patrol at a New Jersey high school after more threats to the school were allegedly posted on Facebook Monday night in addition to threats posted over the weekend.
Police officers were in front of Livingston High School Tuesday morning, even though the threats of violence were deemed not credible.
Superintendent Christina Steffner said the added police presence is to alleviate fears and create a sense of calm. The high school will also open on a two-hour delay Tuesday and students will be required to walk through front-entrance security, Steffner said.
Additionally, "after much debate, conversation and feedback," Back to School Night -- where parents meet teachers to discuss expectations for the upcoming school year -- was postponed, according to a district spokeswoman.
"We believe that under the current circumstances, the program will not be as effective as intended and we look forward to the time when we can come together to focus on the classroom instruction as the evening deserves," spokeswoman Marilyn Joyce Lehren said.
On Sunday, a student allegedly posted on Facebook about his or her intention to “shoot up” the school on Monday and wrote it would be “judgment day for anyone who attempts to stop the violence.”
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Classes and after-school activities went on as scheduled Monday, but parents were hesitant to send their kids to school after hearing about the threats.
On Monday night, the student returned to Facebook and allegedly wrote: “I know today I didn't show up to school. But tomorrow I promise I will kill everyone I see possible.”
Supt. Steffner said police are continuing to investigate the Facebook posts. Initial reports indicated authorities believed the student's account may have been hacked or that the account doesn't actually belong to the student whose name is on it.
Parents have reached out to NBC New York about with their concerns. They wondered how police figured out that the threats were not credible and why extra security is being added if there is no threat.
Parents should get a chance to ask school officials during back-to-school night on Tuesday.
