Anyone with information is encouraged to contact township police at 737-3100. An anonymous tip line is operated at 737-3100, ext. 4.
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
Police said Monday they were “confident” an arrest would be made in connection with the bomb threat hoax that forced evacuation of Hopewell Valley Central High School on Dec. 14.
Students left the building Friday during second period — for a “fire drill,” according to a sophomore — and went to Timberlane Middle School about 9:30 a.m. They remained at the middle school until about 2 p.m. when they returned to CHS.
Once students were moved to the middle school, high school Principal Mike Daher informed them of the cause for the evacuation. Classes continued routinely for middle school students.
”Our detectives are very active following up on several leads involving this incident,” said township police Chief George Meyer on Monday. “They are working with the phone company developing information that is very beneficial to the investigation.”
Police, who received the bomb threat shortly after the start of school, alerted high school administrators, who implemented the school’s crisis response plan.
The call, Chief Meyer said Tuesday, “came in right around the start of school. Other than the caller reporting that there was a bomb in the school, we are not releasing the content of the call.” School begins at 7:45 a.m.
”Students and staff were safely and orderly evacuated to Timberlane Middle School where students were housed in the school’s three gymnasiums,” school district spokeswoman JoAnn Meyer said Friday.
Bomb detection dogs from Mercer and Burlington counties and Ewing and Lawrence townships were used to sweep the high school building and grounds, said township Sgt. Joe Giordano, who coordinated the police response Friday. Also responding were Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, Pennington Fire Company and Pennington First Aid Squad.
”The campus was declared free of all explosive devices by mid-day,” said Ms. Meyer. “At the request of police, students remained at Timberlane while police continued their investigation. Students were permitted to return to the high school prior to dismissal — at 2:45 p.m. — to retrieve backpacks and other personal belongings.”
After-school and evening activities, including athletic events, continued as scheduled.
On Monday, police were continuing the investigation.
”An incident such as this goes far beyond a simple high school prank,” Chief Meyer said. “In addition to the disruption that was caused to the school and the 1,200 students within, a number of emergency service organizations were taken away from their primary duties. Fortunately there were no seriousness consequences as a result.”
”While bomb threats are not uncommon in high schools, they do cause significant disruption and waste critical emergency services,” said Sgt. Giordano.
”We are committed to identifying and prosecuting the person or persons responsible for causing today’s (Friday’s) emergency,” the sergeant said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact township police at 737-3100. An anonymous tip line is operated at 737-3100, ext. 4.
Friday’s incident was the second time the school administration implemented its crisis emergency plan since the start of this school year.
Styrofoam packaging for a spring-loaded pellet gun found near the gym on the first day of school forced officials to freeze all movement in the building while a search was conducted under the direction of township police.
Superintendent Judith Ferguson said the incidents demonstrated the staff’s preparedness for emergency events and commended them for their flexibility during the atypical school day.
On Friday, food service director Diane Hood and her staff scrambled to feed some 2,100 students, more than double the population of Timberlane, in a temporary site on short notice. CHS students were unable to eat lunch in their own building.
”Our staff continues to impress me with their willingness and ability to handle emergency situations. They are there for kids at a moment’s notice. Everyone pulls together in a crisis,” said Dr. Ferguson.
Mr. Daher credited the high school’s 1,200 students with being “extremely cooperative” and “terrific” under less-than-ideal conditions. “We couldn’t have asked for more from the kids. They were great,” Mr. Daher said.

