TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON POLICE
DEPARTMENT 0F PUBLIC SAFETY
350 Hudson Avenue, Township of Washington
County of Bergen – New Jersey 07676
Phone # 201-664-1140
Fax # 201-664-2959
WWW.WASHTWPPOLICE.ORG
Chief of Police – John Calamari
Director – James Giblin
At approximately 7:36 AM, and prior to the majority of the students and staff being present, the Washington Township Police Department responded to the Westwood High School for a reported lockdown. Township Police arrived and entered the structure. Within moments, surrounding agencies arrived on scene to assist. The initial report was that the Westwood High School was placed in a lockdown and the elementary schools were subsequently sheltering in place. The High School remained in lockdown while police searched the entire building. The search confirmed there was no threat. Westwood School district announced a 90-minute delayed opening for all Elementary Schools and the High School resumed its normal daily operations.
The Washington Township Police Department wants to thank the Westwood Police, Hillsdale Police, Emerson Police, Paramus Police, Norwood Police, Ridgewood Police, Northvale Police, Demarest Police, Haworth Police, New Milford Police and the Bergen County Sherrifs Department SWAT Team for their quick response.
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 source of the alarm appears to be a malfunction in the school’s lockdown alarm system.
The Westwood High School staff and students followed appropriate protocols and should be commended for their professionalism and cooperation.
We are currently working with the Westwood Police, Bergen County Prosecutors Office and WWRSD to determine the cause of the malfunction and ensure the safety of the students, staff and school communities.
