Increased Police Presence In Chester Over TikTok Threat Challenge

CHESTER, NJ — Though Chester Police Department said there are “no known threats” within their school district on Friday from a national TikTok challenge advocating violence, the department was still “taking these threats very seriously.”

In doing so, the police department said it will “continue to make schools a priority for patrol and school resource officers over the next few days.”

Schools throughout the country have been on high alert over the TikTok challenge that suggests 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

In a joint statement between the Morris County Sheriff, Prosecutor's Office and President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association on Friday afternoon, they too confirmed there was "no credible threat" against Morris County Schools.

Mendham Township Police addressed the topic on Thursday evening, stating their department also saw “no credible threat to New Jersey, Morris County or any school in our district.”

RELATED: Mendham Police Address TikTok Challenge: 'No Credible Threat'

Mendham Borough Police also addressed the threat on Thursday night, stating there would be extra patrols at their schools, including West Morris Mendham High School.

Please understand that there are NO KNOWN THREATS TO WEST MORRIS MENDHAM HIGH SCHOOL, MT. VIEW AND HILLTOP SCHOOLS at this time. There will be extra patrols present at all schools.
Mendham Borough Police Department.
— Mendham Police (@MendhamPolice) December 17, 2021

In a social media post early Friday morning, the Chester Police Department assured followers there are “no known threats to Chester Schools at this time,” with the police having been in touch with Chester Schools Superintendent Dr. Christina Van Woert.

“Steps are being taken to mitigate any risk to our children and we will certainly step up our efforts today and in the following days,” the police department added.

Chester Police asked that parents speak to their children about this threat and any in the future, asking that they are prepared for any potential emergency; and should children see anything suspicious, to report it to teachers or administrators.

“We pray that a school threat is never carried out in one of our schools, but we must always be prepared should it happen,” the police department expressed, stating any would be addressed “quickly and professionally.”

“The safety of our children is our priority and anyone who threatens that safety of our children will face serious consequences and force objectively reasonable, necessary and proportional to safely achieve the legitimate law enforcement objective under the circumstances,” Chester Police also wrote.

They asked that anyone who sees suspicious activity to call 911. To directly dial the police department, call 908-879-5514.

Follow them on social media for updates at on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChesterPoliceNJ or Twitter at www.twitter.com/ChesterPoliceNJ.

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