TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Jill Mortimer, superintendent of schools for the Westwood Regional School District, serving families here and in Westwood, is expected to add details shortly on an investigation into what went wrong with the school’s lockdown system on Tuesday, April 16, after the school was locked down and students and staff were made to shelter in place.
According to Cpl. Chris Osenbruck, public information officer for the Washington Township Police Department, at approximately 11:07 a.m. the WTPD responded to the school for a reported lockdown. Township police arrived and entered the structure. Within moments, he said, surrounding agencies arrived on scene to assist.
“Initial indications were the lockdown alert system malfunctioned. The school remained in lockdown while police searched the entire building. The search confirmed there was no threat. Westwood High School announced a 12:50 p.m. early dismissal to facilitate investigating the cause of the malfunction,” Osenbruck said.
The Washington Township Police Department thanked the Westwood, River Vale, Hillsdale, Emerson and Ridgewood police departments, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team, for their quick response.
Osenbruck said, “Township Police want to advise students and their families that there were no indications of threats or harm to the school, students, or personnel during this incident. The Westwood High School staff and students followed all appropriate protocols and should be commended for their professionalism and cooperation. The school is now considered safe and secure.”
Morning of uncertainty
The first sign we received of something unusual happening was a freshman’s forwarded cell phone photo, at approximately 11:20 a.m., showing students waiting for guidance in the cafeteria. The student said the school was in lockdown.
Mortimer texted parents shortly after, saying, “WWRSD High School is in a lockdown at this time. We believe it is the result of a malfunction of our lockdown system. At this time, there is no reason to believe staff and students are in danger. No threat has been received.”
She followed that up at 12:37 p.m. with “The lockdown at the WWRSD High School has just been lifted, and we have transitioned to a shelter in place. Students and staff can move freely around their classrooms. The police have checked every single area, and no threat has been found. Staff and students are safe. We are actively looking into the cause of the malfunction, and the owner of the company we use for this technology is on his way to the building to investigate.”
She added, “I want to thank members of the Township of Washington, Westwood, and Emerson Police Departments, as well as our staff, for their immediate response and assistance in ensuring everyone is safe.”
And she said, “Since we do not want to risk another malfunction, the high school will have an early dismissal so that we can address the problem. There is no need to rush to pick up your student, but please do so starting at 12:50 p.m. I know this was an extremely stressful experience, and for that I am sorry.”
Principal Frank Connelly was heard on the public address system at approximately 12:30 p.m., declaring the early release. There were no busses dispatched, as the school did not want to send kids off on busses with no assurance there’d be someone home to greet them. The early release was orderly, with kids in good spirits.
In the interim, police from township, Westwood, and Emerson were seen on campus, enforcing the lockdown and clearing the building. Cars lined Ridgewood Road and the school’s main driveway, with parents waiting there, and in the main parking lot, for details and talking on cell phones.
A large contingent of student-athletes, released from campus for lunch, took in the slow spectacle for some time from the grounds of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, across the street from the school.
This reporter was on the scene from 11:40 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. Board secretary/administrator Keith Rosado referred questions to Mortimer. We asked a police officer on our way out, “Any injuries?” He smiled, and said, “Everything worked out well.”
Updated April 16 at 3:57 p.m. to account for responding-agency information from the WTPD.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT: Westwood schools superintendent apologizes for ‘stress’ of lockdown; praises SLEO, says school resumes Wednesday
