Unclear if threat is related to other recent cases in Bergen County
RIVER VALE -- A telephone bomb threat led to the evacuation of Holdrum Middle School on Tuesday morning, police said.
The threat was phoned in at the school around 9:50 a.m., prompting a "full response" from authorities, according to a statement issued by police spokesman Detective Sgt. John J. DeVoe.
"The circumstances of the threat were evaluated and it was determined that an evacuation of the school campus was in order," DeVoe said.
Responders secured the area and moved occupants of the school to a safe area under police escort, the statement said. The Bergen County Sheriff's Office deployed its bomb squad, including a canine team.
After a "thorough search" of the school's campus, the scene was deemed safe, DeVoe added. Students and staff were allowed back inside shortly after 11 a.m. Police said officers stayed at the facility for the rest of the school day.
DeVoe said he could not release further details on the threat, citing the active investigation. It was unclear if the threat was related to a string of automated phone threats received at schools across Bergen County in recent weeks.
Local police were investigating along with assistance from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Computer Crime Unit, he added.
"Cooperation between our school and police is vital and resulted in an efficient and safe response to this threat," police Chief William Giordano said in a statement. "Our officers patrol our schools on a daily basis, inclusive of interior security checks of each school."
The police department was in frequent contact with school district officials, the statement said.
"In fact, a meeting between our organizations took place 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," the police spokesman said.
Anyone with information was asked to call investigators at 201-664-1111.
Police from Old Tappan and Westwood, along with River Vale firefighters and the ambulance corps also responded.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.