South Orange Middle School went into a shelter-in-place lockdown for about two hours on Monday morning after the school administration received a bomb threat, according to the South Orange Police.
Police notified the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and requested that its bomb squad respond with SOPD to investigate the incident, according to a news release from South Orange Police Chief Stephen Dolinac on Monday afternoon.
ECSO bomb squad and trained K9s checked the school for bombs and suspicious/unknown packages.
“No actual or suspected explosive devices were located. Based on the information available to the responding agencies it was determined that there was no credible risk to public safety or an active, ongoing threat to the school or anyone present. Law enforcement personnel exited the facility at approximately 12:25 PM and returned it to the control of school staff,” the release stated.
SOPD is coordinating with county, state, and federal law enforcement on this investigation; no further information is available at this time. Police ask that anyone with information regarding this investigation, contact the South Orange Police Department, Detective Bureau at (973) 763-3000 ext. 7794.
The South Orange Maplewood School District sent the following letter about the lockdown to families:
Dear South Orange Maplewood District Families,
We are writing to share an update regarding the situation at South Orange Middle School today. At approximately 10:45 AM, school administration was alerted to a potential threat to our school community. Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with our safety protocols, the school was immediately placed in a “Hold and Secure,” (Shelter-in-Place) and law enforcement was notified. During a “Hold and Secure,” students and staff remain safely inside their classrooms and instruction continues. Movement into or out of the building is restricted. Local police arrived promptly and coordinated with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.
In direct collaboration with law enforcement, the district issued an initial notification to all SOMS families. Over the following hour, while students and staff remained secure in their classrooms, law enforcement conducted a thorough safety check of the building and evaluated all information. During this period, our dedicated staff maintained a calm, supportive, and reassuring environment within the classrooms.
At approximately 12:45 PM, the Sheriff’s Department determined that the threat was not credible, and the school safely resumed normal operations. South Orange Middle School followed an adjusted schedule for the remainder of the day to ensure all students had time for lunch and a smooth transition back to their regular learning activities.
We fully recognize that news of a “Hold and Secure” causes immediate concern for all children’s safety and well-being. Waiting for information during an emergency is incredibly difficult, and we deeply appreciate your patience and trust during these high-stress moments.
During an active safety event, our highest priority is the immediate safety of our students and staff, as well as supporting emergency responders. Providing real-time updates while an assessment is underway can inadvertently compromise safety procedures or hinder law enforcement’s response.
Additionally, early information can be fluid. To prevent the spread of unverified details or unnecessary alarm, we must ensure all communications are thoroughly vetted and coordinated with local authorities. Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding as we work together to keep our school community safe.
South Orange Maplewood School District
