Bomb Threats Target Several New Jersey Schools; Authorities Looking Into Hoax

Several New Jersey schools became the target of bomb threats Wednesday and lockdowns were implemented to ensure the safety of the students. Authorities responded on scene to diffuse the situation and determined it's a hoax. They are looking into these incidents carefully.

North Jersey reports that some 21 schools received the "non-credible recorded" bomb threats at 8 a.m. and safety and security measures were immediately set in place. As classes were temporarily suspended, law enforcement officers inspected the school premises and parents were notified of the emergency. Most classes were then resumed in the afternoon when the police cleared the bomb threats as fake.

More Bomb Threats Happening Than Last Year

Authorities said that there could have been more bomb threats if not for some schools closing for spring break. NBC New York reports that when schools re-opened after the Christmas holidays, some 31 bomb threats were made in Bergen country alone. That number eclipsed the 16 school bomb threats the county received in 2015.

Schools in New Jersey towns like Clifton, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hackensack, Leonia, Mahwah, Tenafly, Teaneck and Waldwick received bomb threats between January to April 2016. Townsfolk activities have been disrupted and many locals are worried for the safety of their families. "It's getting to the point of ridiculousness," a father told CBS New York. "Obviously harsh punishment should be the mandate if these people are found."

Bomb Threats Made With Computerized Messages

The bomb threats were prompted by computerized voice calls, which experts say are not easy to trace. "These actors are utilizing anonymizing technology to spoof their true location," said the state's Homeland Security director Dave Weinstein. The pranksters also manipulate IP addresses to mask their identities.

If the perpetrators are caught, they could be sentenced to 10 years in prison. Penalty could also include paying the overtime rate of the police force, which could amount to thousands of dollars. "This is something that your parents are going to pay because you decided to play a joke," said bomb technician Kenny Mercado in the reports. 

What can you say about the response of local enforcement to the bomb threats? Let us know in the comments!