Ridgewood Schools Close For Election Day Due To Threats

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Public schools in Ridgewood were closed for Election Day after the district received threats, a spokesperson confirmed.

The threat was one of several received in Bergen County and statewide on Election Day. New Jersey is one of two states in the U.S. holding governor's races Tuesday.

"Ridgewood Public Schools will be closed today," the district announced on Tuesday. "Polling stations [are operating] as normal and remain open with an increased police presence."

A district spokesperson said, "We closed schools today out of an abundance caption while threat emails, which we have since learned were sent county-wide and beyond, were investigated."

She said staff at Somerville Elementary School, which is a polling location, had reported the threats.

Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer said Tuesday afternoon, "The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is monitoring an Election Day bomb threat pattern and assisting various partner agencies at the local, county, state, and federal levels. Public safety assets from across Bergen County — and throughout the region — have coordinated since early this morning. No suspicious items were discovered, and no ongoing safety concern has been identified."

A Bergen County spokesperson said Tuesday, "All polling locations across the county are safe and open following a series of fraudulent bomb threats made earlier today. Law enforcement responded swiftly, thoroughly checking each location and confirming that no suspicious items or credible threats were found."

READ MORE: Election Day Threats Reported Around NJ

The spokesperson added, "Every eligible voter in Bergen County has the right to cast their ballot freely and without fear. Any attempt to interfere with that right is shameful."

Polls remain open until 8 p.m. Come back to Patch in Bergen County to watch live election results and voter tally updates.

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