Panic to Peace: Industrial Noise Device Revealed as Cause of Garfield School Scare

False Alarm: Industrial Noise Device Triggers Urgent Lockdown at Two Bergen County Schools

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

GARFIELD, NJ — Parents and students at two Bergen County schools faced a tense Thursday morning after reports of “gunshots” forced campuses into immediate lockdown. However, Garfield Police have confirmed that the alarming sounds were not gunfire, but rather a noise-deterrent device used by a nearby business.

The incident highlights the heightened state of alert in New Jersey school districts and the rapid response of local law enforcement to potential threats.

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Morning Lockdown at Schools No. 6 and No. 10

The scare began at approximately 8:22 a.m., just as the school day was getting underway. Officers received a report of possible gunfire near Garfield Public School No. 10.

In accordance with safety protocols, police immediately secured the perimeter of School No. 10 and nearby Abraham Lincoln School No. 6. Both institutions were placed on a full lockdown to ensure the safety of students, staff, and parents while investigators searched for the source of the noise.

The Source: A “Bird-Scaring” Device

After a thorough sweep of the area, the Garfield Police Department identified the culprit: a nearby industrial business.

The company was using a noise-deterrent device designed to scare away birds and rodents. These devices often deploy blank cartridges that produce a loud “crack” nearly identical to a gunshot.

“Officers responded to the business and confirmed the source of the noise,” the department stated. “The business was advised to notify the Garfield Police Department before using the device in the future to avoid similar incidents.”

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Safety First: All Clear Given

Once the “threat” was identified as mechanical rather than criminal, the lockdowns were lifted, and normal school activities resumed. Police remained on-site briefly to provide security and reassure the community.

The Garfield Police Department praised the person who called in the report, emphasizing that they would rather investigate a false alarm than miss a genuine emergency.

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Quick Tips for Residents: Understanding Industrial Noise

If you live near industrial zones in Bergen County, be aware that:

• Bird Cannons/Scaring Devices: Are legal tools used to protect property from pests but sound like small-caliber fire.

• Reporting: If you hear suspicious noises, always call 911 first. Do not attempt to investigate the source yourself near school zones.

• School Alerts: Ensure your contact information is updated in the district’s emergency notification system to receive real-time lockdown updates.

Keywords: Garfield school lockdown, Bergen County school safety, Garfield Police Department, School No 10 lockdown, Abraham Lincoln School 6, industrial noise device gunfire, NJ school news.

Tags: #GarfieldNJ #BergenCounty #SchoolSafety #NJNews #PoliceUpdate #PublicSafety #GarfieldSchools

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• What Really Happened? The Truth Behind the Garfield School Lockdown This Morning

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• Panic to Peace: Industrial Noise Device Revealed as Cause of Garfield School Scare