Police seek potential targets of middle school threat in Burlington Township
Sheri Berkery
BURLINGTON TWP. - Officials are seeking families who believe they were targeted in a social-media post that authorities investigated as a threat.
In a joint letter posted online Saturday, the Burlington Township school district and police department said authorities learned about a post that was "treated as a potential threat to the safety of some Burlington Township Middle School students" earlier this month.
The juvenile responsible for the post was identified within hours, and police confirmed there was no threat to the school or students, according to the letter.
Since police learned of the post on Aug. 6, they've reached out to about 12 to 15 families who believe their kids might have been targeted, said Lt. James Sullivan, the public information officer for the Burlington Township Police Department.
"Because of the way the post was crafted and worded, it left some things open to ambiguity," Sullivan noted.
Anyone else who believes their family or their child was mentioned in the post is encouraged to call Detective Ruben Ortiz-Cruz, who is investigating the case, at 609-239-5889.
The school district is cooperating with the investigation as it prepares classes to resume on Sept. 6.
Some parents on social media have expressed fear about their children returning to school following the alarming post, but Sullivan said the district and police — including several school resource officers — will do their part to ensure a safe school year.
"The Burlington Township police department and school district enjoy a very harmonious, collaborative relationship. The school district is very much on the forefront of safety and security. And after we see anything that could be conceived as a threat, we always do our due diligence."
Meanwhile, the juvenile who police said is responsible for the post will avoid court action.
In consultation with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, police determined the youth's case would be handled through a diversion program called a "juvenile stationhouse adjustment proceeding."
Sullivan explained that state law provides a "matrix" of solutions to deal with juvenile offenders.
"It's the least invasive and least punitive step," he said of the stationhouse adjustment. "We are always encouraged to go that avenue if the offense does qualify."
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General mandated the use of stationhouse adjustments at all municipal police departments in 2005.
According to the state, "The intent of the stationhouse adjustment is to provide for immediate consequences such as community service or restitution and a prompt and convenient resolution of the matter without the signing of a formal delinquency complaint. In doing so, a juvenile involved in minor delinquent activity is diverted from formal court proceedings."
Sheri Berkery is the trending reporter at the Courier-Post, covering the topics that people are talking about on social media and in real life. If you think you have a story idea that’s a “talker,” contact her at 856.486.2673 or sberkery@gannettnj.com
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