The Burlington Township School District issued an e-alert at approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, to update families on the day’s earlier evacuation at B. Bernice Young Elementary School.
“The safety and security of our students and staff are paramount. Thus, all threats are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly,” the emailed statement read.
According to the evening update, at approximately 1 p.m., the school’s main office received multiple phone calls, and during one of these calls it was stated there was a bomb in the building. The School Resource Officer was immediately consulted, and within a few minutes, the Burlington Township Police Department, EMS, Burlington Township Fire Department and emergency management personnel were on site.
Students and staff were safely evacuated, and the district and BTPD communicated information to the community. The police department issued an advisory at approximately 2 p.m. stating an investigation was underway at Young School. Police said all students and faculty had been evacuated and accounted for, and that there were no reported injuries.
The BTSD reported a “threat” had been made in an e-alert sent from the district at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Following an investigation and evacuation, police released an updated advisory at approximately 2:30 p.m. that students and faculty from the elementary school had safely returned to their classes, and dismissal was scheduled as normal.
According to the school district’s evening update, canine teams trained in bomb detection from the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department and the Burlington City Police Department responded and conducted a thorough search of the school before deeming it safe. The BTPD continues to investigate the source of the phone calls the school received.
“At this time, there is no indication that there is a credible threat to the safety of our students or schools,” the statement read.
