Law enforcement was called to the school Tuesday in response to an unspecified threat of violence. The district notified parents in a letter, and the incident remains under investigation.
By Matt Skoufalos | October 30, 2019
Haddon Township’s Rohrer Middle School, exterior. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Haddon Township Police were called to William Rohrer Middle School Tuesday to investigate a report of a student alleged to have made threats of violence in the building.
Little information is available at present.
In a letter to district families, Rohrer Principal Patty Schwab acknowledged the incident, and asked parents to talk to their children about the weight of their words:
“During the school day, one of our students made a threatening statement. Upon learning of the comments, and in following district procedure, the Haddon Township Police Department was notified. Please know that we take safety in our buildings very seriously; the well being of students is our top priority.
“I realize any talk of violence is cause for concern. We will continue to investigate, and assure you that we are committed to doing everything we can to keep our students safe at school. Please take a moment to have a conversation with your child to discuss the power of words and their potential impact.”
Haddon Township Police Lieutenant Ronald Aron said the matter is still under investigation, and that the department is consulting with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office on the case.
Aron declined to discuss whether any charges had been filed or were pending in the incident. He confirmed that no weapon was recovered at the school.
Among the questions detectives will be trying to resolve is whether the student under investigation allegedly made general threats of violence, or identified individual targets in his or her remarks.
Superintendent Bonnie Edwards declined to comment on the matter.
Instead, she noted that the district goals include “a thorough review of district safety and security practices to increase effectiveness; streamline and enhance procedures; and support the emotional well- being of students.”
The district policy states that police shall be contacted “if the physical safety of any individual is, or might be jeopardized by an attempt to isolate or contain” an individual alleged to have made a threat.
It also notes that any student “found to be culpable in the commission of any threat or act” shall be subject to criminal and civil law as well as any penalties levied under NJ Department of Education law and codes.
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