May 16, 2007
NEWS RELEASE

Crime Stoppers Offers Reward in Terroristic Threats at Hillsborough High School

SOMERVILLE, NJ - Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Paul Kaminsky state that the investigation of a terroristic threats made at Hillsborough High School on May 8 and May 16, 2007 is continuing.

Douglas W. Kimmelman, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, has announced a reward of $500.00 for information which leads to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for making the terroristic threats.

On May 8, 2007 a Hillsborough Township School Resource Officer was alerted by a student of a threatening message that was written on an interior wall of the high school. Security measures were taken on the May 8 and 9, 2007 to ensure the safety of the students. These measures included the sweeping of the interior and exterior of the school grounds, a sweep of all concealed bags and backpacks in possession of the students by numerous K-9 units and by having the students walk through deployed metal detectors. These necessary security measures delayed the start of classes on May 9, 2007 until approximately 10:30 a.m.

On May 16, 2007 the Hillsborough High School received additional threatening messages located on the walls within separate lavatories of the school. The threat apparently is due to occur on Thursday May 17, 2007. The Hillsborough Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office are actively investigating this incident which was brought to the attention of the Police Department by High School officials today at approximately 10:00am. At this time due to the ongoing investigation from last weeks incident and today’s continuing investigation specifics regarding the threat cannot be released, however the threat was not specific to any one student nor was a specific method indentified. In order to further investigate and provide for the safety of students and staff members, on the recommendation of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, school and district administrators are closing the high school on Thursday May 17, 2007. However, school will be open for regular classes on Friday May 18, 2007, to make up for Thursdays closing. There will be additional police presence, security checks and the school will run on a modified lockdown until further notice. This closing only applies to the high school.

The Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office and High School Administrators are currently developing contingency plans for the opening of school on Friday May 18th, which will allow for a safe and secure return of students and faculty. Additional measures are also being explored to secure several bathrooms within the High School to reduce similar threats.

Additional information regarding this investigation will be released accordingly.

Prosecutor Forrest, Chief Kaminsky and Crime Stoppers President Kimmelman state that any information can be provided anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers toll free TIPS Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. Whether you provide information by telephone or online you will be provided with a confidential claim number, which you will utilize to obtain the reward monies. All calls are confidential.