Police present as school reopens after Web threat EBHS was closed Tuesday due to threat 'of violent nature' BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer STEVEN M. BARON An East Brunswick police vehicle blocks the main entrance to East Brunswick High School yesterday, when school was closed as police investigated a violent threat. EAST BRUNSWICK - The township high school reopened without incident yesterday, after being closed Tuesday due to a threat of a violent nature that was posted on the Internet. Citing the ongoing investigation, police would not divulge details of the threat or the Web site on which it appeared. Police said several people contacted them Monday afternoon to report seeing the Web posting. The threat was not a bomb scare, officials said. "It was an Internet-based threat, but I can't release the specifics other than to say it was a threat of violence at the school," East Brunswick Police Lt. William Krause said. Since the threat specifically mentioned Tuesday, school and police officials allowed activities to continue at the high school Monday night, but canceled school for Tuesday. "This was definitely a precautionary measure, with the kinds of things that go on today," said Patricia LaDuca, coordinator of community relations and programs for the school district. Township and state police were at the high school Tuesday, working "to ensure the safety of the school," according to a police press release. A statement on the East Brunswick Public Schools Web site that afternoon indicated that the school was "deemed safe for school to open" Wednesday, albeit with an increased police presence and new precautions. Additional uniformed police officers will continue to be present at the high school all week, officials said. Though students were advised not to bring backpacks to school, some did yesterday, and they were subject to random searches, LaDuca said. Also, students are no longer permitted to carry their coats with them around the school, La- Duca said. Starting yesterday, students were being required to place their coats in lockers when they arrive. Despite the added police presence and new measures, school reopened without incident yesterday, LaDuca said. Those students who did not wear their IDs upon arrival were sent to the main office to get their IDs, she noted. Many doors to the school were locked, and the seven doors that were open each had an administrative presence. "There was a much bigger administrative presence and a police presence, in uniform," LaDuca said, noting that things went smoothly yesterday. "The kids were terrific this morning. Everyone cooperated with the IDs, and it looked like business as usual, but you could tell there was a presence there to help people feel safe," she said. School officials were pleased with the actions and assistance of township police. "One thing we are so grateful for is the support we get from the local police department," LaDuca said. "They were with us through this whole thing." Krause said Tuesday that the threat message was removed from the Internet Monday, and police were investigating to determine who posted it. He said the ongoing probe prohibited police from releasing further details. "Obviously it's serious," he said. "Anytime something like this happens, it's given full priority." South River bomb scare In similar news, nearby South River High School received a bomb threat Tuesday. Ronald Grygo, superintendent of schools, said the bomb threat was discovered on a secretary's voice mail at the school around 7:20 a.m., 10 minutes before the school day begins. Staff inside the building, along with a few students who were present, were immediately evacuated, Grygo said. Borough police and county investigators responded to the scene. "The police did an excellent job of cordoning off the area," Grygo said. Bomb-sniffing dogs entered the building, which was cleared by 9:15 a.m. Students were provided a letter from the superintendent's office informing parents of what occurred, Grygo said. No arrests have been made, and an investigation is ongoing.