Lockdown Lifted At School In Caldwell; Threat 'Unsubstantiated'

CALDWELL, NJ — A college prep school in Caldwell has been cleared after temporarily being put into lockdown on Monday, authorities said.

The Caldwell Police Department issued the following statement about the incident:

“This morning at approximately 9:25 a.m., the Caldwell Police Department responded to Mount Saint Dominic Academy for a possible threat to the school. As a precaution the school was placed in lockdown. Once the school was secured and cleared, the lockdown was lifted.”

The Caldwell Police Department Detective Bureau will be further investigating this incident, authorities said.

The school posted a message about the lockdown on its website. It read:

“This morning, Monday, January 6, 2025, at approximately 9:25 a.m., Mount St. Dominic Academy received an alert from the Caldwell Police Department advising the implementation of lockdown procedures due to a perceived campus threat. The situation was thoroughly investigated and determined to be unsubstantiated. All lockdown protocols were executed effectively, highlighting the preparedness of the MSDA school community. Police officers were on-site to ensure a safe and seamless return to normal operations.”

All students and staff are safe, and regular instruction has resumed, administrators said.

Faculty and staff remain available to provide social-emotional support throughout the day. Students can access these resources by visiting the school counseling office or speaking directly with faculty members.

“We extend our gratitude to the Caldwell Police Department Detective Bureau, surrounding police agencies, and our students, faculty, and staff for their calm and cooperative response during this situation,” school administrators wrote.

“As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities,” administrators concluded. “We will continue to review and reinforce our safety protocols to ensure the preparedness and security of our school community.”

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