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"The facility and surrounding area was secured by police personnel and all occupants were evacuated to predetermined safe locations under police escort" just before 10 a.m., Detective Sgt. John DeVoe said Tuesday afternoon.
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad responded to the school, while Old Tappan and Westwood police helped secure the perimeter and borough firefighters and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps remained on standby, he said.
After a thorough search, the campus was declared safe and everyone was allowed to return at 11:09 a.m.
River Vale police "maintained a presence on scene for the remainder of the school day," DeVoie said.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation conducted by local police and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit is asked to call the River Vale Detective Bureau: (201) 664-1111.
“Cooperation between our school and police is vital and resulted in an efficient and safe response to this threat," Police Chief William Giordano said. "Our officers patrol our schools on a daily basis, inclusive of interior security checks of each school.”
DeVoe added that a meeting between the organizations was held "just last week in order to review and update emergency protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff at all times.”
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