Unclear if threats are related
Authorities were investigating robocall bomb threats made against schools in at least 13 communities around Bergen and Passaic counties Wednesday morning, officials said.
Bergen County Sheriff's Office spokesman Anthony Cureton could not say if the scares were related to recent cases of automated telephone threats against dozens of schools in the region.
Englewood, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Leonia, Lodi, Midland Park, and Elmwood Park were among districts that received threats, authorities said. Police searched the schools beginning around 8:30 a.m. and found nothing harmful.
Another string of bomb threats reported at N.J. schools
"Another non credible bomb threat this am. All protocols followed for shelter in place. Building clear and safe," the Little Falls-based Passaic Valley High School Superintendent's Office said on Twitter.
Lodi police said the borough high school received a phone threat earlier on Wednesday similar to the other scares. Classes resumed after a police search.
"The threat was deemed non-credible," according to a statement from Lodi police.
Some of the schools were on spring break while others were in session.
Midland Park police said the Board of Education office received a call Wednesday claiming there was a bomb at borough schools. The county sheriff's bomb squad and K-9 unit searched both inside and outside of the high school and found no danger, according to a statement on the police department's Facebook page.
In Paramus, officials described a similar call Wednesday morning. Authorities determined the phone threat was "non-credible," the school district said in a statement.
The scares Wednesday came after other mass bomb threats targeting Bergen and Passaic county schools in recent months.
Fort Lee High School recieved a bomb threat. Police & Fire Dept on scene. Parents, do not respond to the high school! Updates to follow
-- Fort Lee Police (@FortLeePoliceNJ) April 13, 2016
Another non credible bomb threat this am. All protocols followed for shelter in place. Building clear and safe.
-- PV Superintendent (@PvhsSup) April 13, 2016
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.