Threat Against JPS Is Not Credible: Superintendent

EDISON, NJ — A threat made against J.P. Stevens High School Friday morning is not credible, the interim superintended said in an email sent to parents.

"This morning some of our students at J.P. Stevens received a threatening email direct at their high school. We are dealing with this threat and taking it seriously," Margaret Contaldi, the acting superintendent, said in an email.

"The police have been informed and we are working closely with them. It is believed that this is a hoax. As this is an active, on-going investigation, details are limited at this time. However, you should know that in situations like this we take every measure necessary to protect members of our Edison Schools family," the email said.

A student at the high school told Patch there was a police officer stationed in the senior parking lot Friday morning. The student said he did not receive the email.

"Our school is safe and running on normal schedule. The Edison police [are] on top of the investigation. Regardless of who the culprit is we will go after this type of threat hard and seriously. Zero tolerance," Board of Education principal Jerry Shi said in an emailed statement, adding that there is heightened security around the district. He declined to comment on what, specifically, the email said.

J.P. Stevens principal Anthony Shallop did not immediately return Patch's request for comment. A town spokesperson referred all questions to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, who is handling the investigation.

The email reportedly was sent around 4:45 a.m. with the subject like, "I'm Shooting Up JP Stevens," TapInto Edison reported. It's not clear how many students received the email.