Arrest made in bomb threat at high school

VERNON-A 15-year-old girl has been arrested after admitting to making a bomb threat last week at Vernon Township High School. The threat was the fourth to hit township schools this school year, but the first to result in an arrest. A statement issued by the Vernon police said that the female juvenile from Vernon Township was arrested on March 9 at the high school for false public alarm, a third-degree crime, after an investigation by Detective Brian Jernick, the high school resource officer, and Detective Sean Talt working with school officials. According to the statement, at 8:35 a.m. on Monday March 7, a message written on a bathroom mirror at the Vernon Township High School indicated that there was a bomb in the school. Though the administration knew of the threat, the school was not evacuated for almost three hours. Students were taking standardized tests that morning, and the building was evacuated after the tests were completed. Superintendent of Schools Anthony Macerino said that the timing of the evacuation was not related to the tests. He said the school was not evacuated immediately because police did not deem it necessary. "When the Vernon Township Police Department arrived, the threat level was immediately assessed and it was determined to be very low," he said. "The Sheriffs department responded soon after the VTPD on Monday morning. After the threat level was assessed as being very low, it was determined that a preliminary search with the Canine Unit would take place while students were still in the school," Macerino went on. "Just as a precautionary measure, since the units were already on campus, it was determined that a Green Alert Drill (evacuation) would take place strictly as a further precaution. Throughout the process, the threat level was deemed very low by all parties involved." The threat had been written on the mirror with an eye liner pencil. On March 11, Macerino send a letter to the parents and guardians of students at the three schools that had had threats - the high school and Lounsberry Hollow and Glen Meadow middle schools. Along with items announcing a school budget hearing on March 23 and the high school's mock trial activities, he wrote three paragraphs about the bomb threats, advising parents about the arrest of the 15-year-old girl, who, he wrote, "will face significant school discipline." He congratulated the conduct of all students during the several evacuations and asked parents to remind their children to report suspicious activity. The Vernon Police Detective Bureau conducted an investigation at the scene with the assistance of The Sussex County Sheriff K-9 unit. When nothing was found, students were then permitted to re-enter the school and resume the school day. The juvenile was charged with false public alarm, processed then lodged in the Sussex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court appearance in Sussex County Superior Court. In addition to criminal consequences the 15-year-old will also face school disciplinary measures. "School disciplinary measures are private matters; however, I can share that the student has been disciplined," said Macerino. The first bomb threat took place in December at Glen Meadow, the second and third took place in February, one in Lounsberry Hollow and the other in Glen Meadow. In those instances, students were evacuated to nearby schools without their coats. They were later sent home on buses. So far the high school incident is the only one in which the perpetrator has been apprehended but the hope is that this will deter further incidents. "Arrests often act as a deterrent to similar criminal activities," said Detective Stephen Moran. "The other cases are still being actively investigated, and we would encourage anyone with any information to contact Patrolman Keith Kimkowski, the K-8 school resource officer, and we would like to assure that any information given will be kept confidential," he added. The Sheriffs department responded soon after the VTPD on Monday morning. After the threat level was assessed as being very low, it was determined that a preliminary search with the Canine Unit would take place while students were still in the school. Just as a precautionary measure, since the units were already on campus, it was determined that a Green Alert Drill (evacuation) would take place strictly as a further precaution. Throughout the process, the threat level was deemed very low by all parties involved. The administration feels very strongly that the arrest, coupled with significant school discipline, will help prevent other similar incidents. Parents are also urged to remind children of the importance of reporting any suspicious conversation, acts, etc., by other students, to teachers and/or the administration.