West Deptford High School lockdown lifted after reported bomb threat, police say
Police and bomb-sniffing dogs were called out to West Deptford High School on Friday for a reported bomb threat, and students were ordered to remain inside during an investigation.
Chopper 3 was over the high school on Crown Point Road Friday afternoon, where several West Deptford police and Gloucester County Sheriff's Office vehicles could be seen. An officer and a dog were roaming the athletic fields and parking lots as the dog sniffed around.
"Due to a 'bomb threat' at the high school, we initiated a district-wide hold today," Superintendent Brian Gismondi said in a note to parents. "We want to clarify that the concern was limited to the high school only; however, we extended the hold to all schools out of an abundance of caution."
New Jersey State Police and Gloucester County Sheriff's Office Bomb K9 units did a sweep of the areas referenced in the alleged threat and found no credible threat or immediate danger to students or staff, according to a release from West Deptford police.
Gismondi said police patrol cars will be checking all district campuses throughout the day "to make sure our students and staff feel completely safe."
"We want to send a clear message to our community: we do not view these incidents as 'pranks.' They are serious disruptions that impact the well-being of our students and drain local resources," Gismondi said.
All school operations and after-school activities will proceed as normally scheduled.
The incident remains under investigation by West Deptford police. If you have any information on this incident, call police.