Police Presence Upped In Long Valley Over TikTok Threat Challenge

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Washington Township Police increased their presence in all township schools on Friday, though they said there was “no credible threat” within their school districts from a national TikTok challenge advocating violence.

The police department said they were working with school officials within the district at both the West Morris Central High School and Washington Township Schools.

Schools throughout the country were on high alert over the TikTok challenge that suggested students "threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17," according to a Patch report.

RELATED: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert

Police Chief Jeffrey Almer, who was recently sworn in as the President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, made a joint statement with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Morris County Sheriff on Friday afternoon, confirming there was "no credible threat" against Morris County Schools.

Washington Township Police shared letters from both West Morris Central High School Principal Timothy Rymer and Dr. Peter Turnamian, Superintendent of the Washington Township Schools, on the police department’s social media late Thursday night.

The letters from both administrators are below:

Dear Parents & Guardians,
Please be advised that we are aware of messages/videos circulating on various social media platforms, including TikTok and Snapchat, warning of violence nationwide at US schools on Friday, December 17. These postings do not identify specific schools, districts, or locations.
As a precaution, we have been in contact with the Washington Township Police Department and will have an additional security presence on campus throughout the day tomorrow. We continue to encourage students and their families to report any concerns to school personnel or local law enforcement immediately. We also ask that you take this opportunity to talk with your child about the appropriate use of social media.
Finally, you should know that the health and safety of our students, staff, and school community is always our first priority. You can trust that in every instance in which a threat, on social media or otherwise, is deemed credible we will promptly inform the WMC school community.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Timothy Rymer
WMC Principal

Dear Washington Township School Community,
There is currently a video on TikTok warning of nationwide school shootings on December 17th along with hashtags #december172021, #december17th, and #december17.
All schools in the State of New Jersey received a message from the NJ Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning regarding this post. The New Jersey Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning and New Jersey Regional Operations & Intelligence Center have informed us that there is no viable intelligence to support this as a legitimate threat to any school in New Jersey. Nevertheless, we will remain vigilant.
They further stated that it can be expected that these posts may migrate to other social media platforms or surface in messaging between students. I ask that you please remind your children not to share such messages and to report any potential threats that may come to their attention.
Please be advised that, out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence in our District tomorrow.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to keep our community safe.
Warmest regards, Peter Turnamian

Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello said Thursday night he had also been in touch with school officials, including West Morris Regional High School District's Superintendent Michael Ben David.

Murello asked parents to be aware of what their children are seeing and sharing on social media.

To follow Washington Township Police Department on social media for updates, go to Facebook www.facebook.com/wtpdmorris and Twitter www.twitter.com/WTPDMC.

The police department can be reached by 911 or directly at 908-876-3232.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a local news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.