Bomb Threat Forces New Jersey Schools to Close
1010WINS ^ | September 18, 2007 | AP




EMERSON, N.J. (NorthJersey.com/AP) -- Schools in about a dozen northern New Jersey towns will be closed Thursday because of a bomb threat addressed to the mayor of Emerson.


Emerson schools were evacuated Wednesday and had early dismissal as a precaution, but the district says its three schools will reopen Friday.


Other districts closing Thursday are Oradell, River Edge, Closter, Demarest, Haworth, Harrington Park, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan, along with Northern Valley and River Dell regional high schools.


Northern Valley Schools Superintendent Jan Furman said the letter claimed the Emerson schools and two unnamed schools in nearby towns would be "blown out'' at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.


Bomb squads were searching schools in Emerson and other districts.


In Oradell, Police Chief Rhynie Emanuel said administrators of the five schools, including a nursery school, met at Borough Hall about half an hour after police were notified of the threat. They agreed to shut down schools Wednesday and throughout Thursday, including all school-sponsored extracurricular activities.


Bergen County Police Capt. Kevin Hartnett said that bomb threats at schools have become a yearly occurrence, and officials take quick action.
“We take school safety very seriously,” Emanuel said.