NUTLEY POLICE MAKE ARREST IN SCHOOL THREAT

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The Nutley Police Department in conjunction with the Essex County Prosecutors office has been investigating the posting of an alarming video to Instagram. After fully investigating the incident we charged 18yr old Joseph Rafanello with 3rd degree False Public Alarm for his part in posting the video to the social media site. Mr. Rafanello a Nutley High School student was arrested and taken to the Essex County Jail.

At this point our investigation has not uncovered any further active security threats to any of our public schools and we will continue to work with the school district to ensure the safety of our schools. We will be increasing patrols around all our schools when school begins on Monday. This is just a proactive measure and not related to any further threats.

Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo stated anyone thinking about making threats to our schools will be identified and prosecuted utilizing all available resources. We also want to thank the parents and community members for being patient and allowing us to fully investigate this matter. We assure you we will do everything we can to continue to protect our schools. In addition they commended the hard work of all Detectives involved in the investigation and the Essex County Prosecutors Office for their assistance.

We further want to reassure all parents and residents that we take all threats against the safety of our schools seriously and will fully investigate all threats until our schools are deemed safe.

Be reminded that these are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.