Tik Tok Threat Results In More Police At Gloucester Twp. Schools

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township police will have a presence at schools throughout the township in response to a nationwide "challenge" on the social media app Tik Tok warning of the potential for school violence on Friday.

“We are observing an increase in the number of students who are threatening staff members or making school violence threats,” Black Horse Pike Regional School District Superintendent Brian Repici said in a letter to the school community on Thursday. “We will continue to take these extremely seriously and will work with our law enforcement partners to address these immediately. This type of behavior will result in school disciplinary consequences and adjudication in the criminal courts. Another TikTok Challenge, for example, has threatened school violence for Friday, Dec. 17. I have communicated with our law enforcement partners and administrators in preparation.”

Repici referred to the “Shoot Up Your School Challenge,” which was addressed by Gloucester Township police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness on Thursday.

"At this time, we would like our community to know there is no credible information to suggest this threat is specific to any school in New Jersey," Gloucester Township police said Thursday night. "We have been in contact with Gloucester Township School Officials, Black Horse Pike Regional School Officials, Camden County Technical School Officials, and the Our Lady of Hope School Principal to address security concerns and to pass along relevant information.

"The Gloucester Township Police Department will be deploying additional resources, will be conducting additional high visibility patrols at our schools, and will be monitoring the situation closely with our Federal, State, County and Local partners to ensure the communication of any relevant information."

“At this time, there appears to have been a generic threat shared on social media that has impacted various school districts,” Homeland Security said in a statement. “We believe these posts to be non-credible threats at this time, however, all threats are being reviewed, assessed, and shared with appropriate law enforcement entities throughout the State.”

Anyone who has any information about potential threats can make a report any time of the day to NJOHSP's CTWatch at 866-4SAFENJ (866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.

“Threats and acts of violence will never be tolerated in the Black Horse Pike Regional School District,” Repici said. “We are asking all parents, guardians, and caregivers to speak with the children in your care and remind them that threats are serious and have serious consequences. If anyone has information about threats, please say something to the school or law enforcement immediately. If you want to know how to get your teen counseling, click this link for more information.”

Gloucester Township residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling 911.