Social Media ‘Threat’ To Belleville School Not Credible: Authorities

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A social media post regarding a potential threat at Belleville Middle School has been deemed “not credible,” and there is no immediate threat to the school community, authorities said.

The post circulated on the internet over the weekend, according to a statement from Matthew Sullivan, the district’s director of safety and security.

“We are aware of a social media post circulating over the weekend regarding a potential threat at Belleville Middle School,” Sullivan wrote. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we take any such reports seriously.”

He continued:

“Immediately upon learning of the post, we contacted local law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. After a detailed review, the Belleville Police Department has determined that the post is not credible and there is no immediate threat to the safety of our school community. The individual responsible for the post has been identified and is being handled appropriately by local law enforcement.”

“We want to reassure parents, students, and staff that we remain vigilant and proactive in maintaining a secure environment,” Sullivan said. “Out of an abundance of caution, additional safety measures have been put in place for the coming days. We are deeply grateful to the Belleville Police Department for their steadfast dedication to the safety of our schools. Their swift and thorough response to this situation has been invaluable.”

“We encourage our community to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, which can contribute to unnecessary fear,” Sullivan added. “If you or your child have any concerns or hear of suspicious activity, please report it directly to school administration or law enforcement.”

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham reshared the district’s message, adding that he has been in contact about the incident with the town’s police chief and school administrators.

“Please know this is a police matter and our PD and School District have been in continuous communication,” Melham said.

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