Law Enforcement Clears All Sites After Malicious, Multi-County Intimidation Effort
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
In a disturbing effort to disrupt the democratic process on Election Day (November 4th), a series of fraudulent bomb threats were emailed to numerous schools and polling locations across Bergen County, New Jersey. However, county officials and law enforcement have confirmed that all affected sites have been inspected, cleared, and remain safely open for voting.
The incidents, which began early this morning, prompted a swift and coordinated response from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO), regional police, and federal partners.
“No suspicious items were discovered, and no ongoing safety concern has been identified,” assured Jeff Angermeyer, deputy chief of detectives with the BCPO. “Law enforcement across Bergen County will remain engaged for the rest of Election Day.”
Ridgewood Schools Closed Due to ‘Intimidation-Driven Acts’
The threats hit communities hard, notably impacting the Ridgewood community, where schools often double as polling sites. An alleged bomb threat at the Somerville Elementary School in Ridgewood early Tuesday morning, 11/04, reportedly resulted in the closure of all public schools in Ridgewood for the day. Schools were open for voting purposes only. Photos and videos were taken in front of the Somerville Elementary School after polls had opened. Ridgewood Police Patrol Division officers and a Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit reportedly responded to clear the school building shortly after 5 AM on Tuesday.
- School Closure: Ridgewood Public Schools, the county’s largest district, made the difficult decision to close schools for the entire day after multiple staff members received the alarming, but non-credible, email threats.
- Widespread Targets: Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Ross Lyons confirmed that “six or more towns received the email threat in Bergen County alone,” describing the pattern as a regional, malicious attempt to intimidate voters.
Boroughs like Fair Lawn also confirmed the threats but quickly issued an “All Clear,” stating: “All affected sites have been inspected by law enforcement and emergency services and have been deemed SAFE and CLEAR.”
At least two (2) voting locations in Fair Lawn were also recipients of telephoned bomb threats on Tuesday morning, 11/04. A explosives sniffing K9 Unit from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office assisted Fair Lawn Police in searching/sweeping the Fair Lawn Recreation Center and the Westmoreland Elementary School. Both buildings were cleared for resumption of voting after the search/sweep of each building turned up negative.
The Message: Vote Without Fear
Bergen County officials were unequivocal in their condemnation of the attempts to interfere with the right to vote.
“Every eligible voter in Bergen County has the right to cast their ballot freely and without fear,” said county spokesperson Derek Sands. “Any attempt to interfere with that right is shameful, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Polls across New Jersey remain open until 8:00 p.m. EST. Authorities urge all eligible voters to continue casting their ballots with confidence in the safety and security of the polling locations.
🗳️ FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE: Don’t let intimidation win. You can locate your assigned polling station quickly using the official search tool: voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search
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