Monday, Apr 3, 2023
Dear Rider Community,
Thank you all for your cooperation during today’s shelter in place order. We know these situations are frightening and can cause immense stress, but every threat must be taken seriously and acted upon quickly and decisively.
At approximately 1 p.m. today, Lawrence Township Police responded to campus after Public Safety received an anonymous phone call threatening gun violence on Rider’s campus. A shelter in place order was immediately communicated to our campus community via our emergency alert system, Rider Alert. Police and Public Safety determined that there was no credible threat and the investigation was determined to be a “swatting event” or a false threat made to police.
The Lawrence Township Police Department is actively investigating the incident with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement agencies. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the Lawrence Township Police Department’s Investigative Division, 609-844-7107 or email Sgt. Kevin Reading: [email protected]. You can also contact Rider’s Department of Public Safety at 609-896-5029.
Throughout the duration of the shelter in place order, which lasted nearly an hour, we provided as much information as possible via a series of Rider Alert text messages until the shelter in place order was canceled. It isn’t always possible or safe to issue detailed information at the moment; however, we try our best to share what we can as soon as we can. As there is no current threat to campus, classes for the rest of the afternoon and evening will meet.
Even though it was determined that there was no credible threat to campus, we understand the need to shelter in place can cause feelings of anxiety and stress. Please know that assistance is available for our students, faculty and staff.
Students, the Counseling Center provides free and confidential services. Appointments can be made via the Healthy Broncs Portal, by calling 609-896-5157 or emailing [email protected]. You can also contact the Dean of Students Office at 609-896-5101 or [email protected].
Faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program is available to provide free and confidential online, face-to-face and 24/7 telephone support. Learn more by calling 1-800-527-0035 or visiting www.princetonhcs.org/eap.
To ensure your information is up to date for Rider Alert, please visit this webpage for more information.This is our primary mode of communication in any emergency, and it is important to make sure your information is accurate.
Thank you for your cooperation and following the directions issued today to help keep you safe. We will always do our best to provide our community with a safe place to learn, live and work.
Sincerely,
Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.
President