No Threat In Paramus, But Cops On Alert Ahead Of TikTok Challenge

Paramus NJ

16 December, 2021

3:34 PM

Description

PARAMUS, NJ — There will be an increased police presence at Paramus schools on Friday, as the district takes extra safety measures ahead of a nationwide challenge pushing violence in schools. Superintendent Sean Adams said police notified the district of a "nationwide social media challenge" which "contains a generalized threat of violence in schools across the nation on Friday, December 17." Adams clarified that there are no known threats to any of the Paramus schools, but added that district officials and the local police have agreed to take extra precautions. "To ensure the comfort of our school community, there will be increased law enforcement personnel in and around our school buildings tomorrow," Adams said. He continued: "As always, please take this opportunity to speak with your children about the appropriate use of social media and encourage them to speak with you, a staff member, and law enforcement if they see or hear something so that our schools can continue to remain safe environments for our students and staff." The national trend appears to have originated on TikTok, and multiple law enforcement agencies across the country say they are monitoring reports of the challenge, which has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday. Read more: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert