November 2, 2022

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–In a letter addressed to the Hamilton Township School District Community, Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco, stated that there was a perceived threat observed near Nottingham High School where a male was seen with a weapon. The Hamilton Township Police Department was notified, and Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle School were placed into lockdown. There was no direct threat to either school, but the district took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Once Hamilton Township Police completed their investigation both schools were reopened and returned to their normal schedules. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible.

UPDATE from Hamilton Police Department:

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at approximately 8:23 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of Nottingham High School, 1055 Klockner Avenue, on a report of a male walking toward the High School with a weapon.  Nottingham High School was put on lock down and Crockett Middle School was put on a shelter in place.  Further investigation proved the report to be unfounded and the threat was not deemed credible.  Both schools were released from their lock down/shelter in place status.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Stacy Pollard of the Hamilton Police Division Juvenile Unit at (609) 581-4026 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.

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November 2, 2021

Dear HTSD Community,

Today, a concerned citizen identified an individual outside of one of our schools who may have been a perceived threat. Specifically, a male individual was observed walking on the street with a weapon near Nottingham High School. This was reported to our Hamilton Township Police Department. We immediately put our school security procedures in place based on the information that was available at the time. This meant that both Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle Schools were put into lockdown.  Although there was not a direct threat to either school, the police department and our district took immediate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

As the police department investigated the specific issue at Nottingham High School, we transitioned Crockett Middle School to a shelter-in-place. Once the police completed their investigation inside of the building at Nottingham High School, both buildings were released to return to their normal schedule.

Although this is stressful and scary for our students, staff, and parents, I want to reiterate two key points. First, at no time was there a direct threat to any student or staff member at our schools. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible. Two, we consistently tell our school community that when they see something to say something. In this case, the citizen saw something and did what we asked them to do. I appreciate that person’s efforts to keep our children and staff safe.

Finally, I would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, and administration at both buildings for their swift action in following our emergency procedures. In addition, I want to express my appreciation to the Hamilton Township Police Department for their immediate response and efforts. Multiple officers responded to both schools and made sure everyone in our schools were safe.

Sincerely,

                                                                        Scott Rocco

Scott R. Rocco, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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