Crime & Safety

Superintendent: Man May Have Been Photographing Students At Somerville Elementary

Superintendent says safety remains the district's 'top priority;' police are investigating the incident.

Police are investigating an incident in which a man was possibly photographing children from the back field at Somerville Elementary School around lunchtime, according to a letter Superintendent Dan Fishbein sent to parents Tuesday.

"It appeared that this man was holding a camera and possibly taking photographs in the direction of the children playing on the field," Fishbein wrote in the letter. "Adults who were supervising the children observed this activity and immediately reported the incident to Principal Lorna Oates-Santos, who in turn notified the Ridgewood Police."

The incident remains under investigation by Ridgewood detectives, he said.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fishbein, in his letter, said safety continues to be "the top priority" of the district.

"Any incident that might jeopardize that safety is taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated," he wrote. "Please do not hesitate to report any suspicious activity to your school principal, and encourage your children to do the same."

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This is not the first time district officials have responded to safety concerns related to lewd or suspicious behavior in the past year.

In February of 2011, police said a man into his green van before fleeing. In September of 2010, .

Fishbein told Patch that because the man was seen from the back field at a distance, a good description could not be made.

Ridgewood detectives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.


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