Man with camera outside Ridgewood schools was making homecoming video, police say

Police Chief John Ward stepped up patrols, notified district officials and had officers looking for anyone who fit the description of the man reportedly seen within a short period of time at both the George Washington Middle School on Washington Place (above) and the Willard Elementary School on Morningside Road.

A short time later, he showed up at the high school, where staff spoke with him and quickly called police.

The outcome capped what ended up becoming a drill, said Ward, who joined the patrols himself during dismissals this afternoon (above, right, with uniformed Officer Kevin McKeon).

“Thankfully this turned out not to be serious,” Ward told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “However, it once again demonstrates what you can do when you mobilize quickly to protect children.

“You have to give credit to the high school staff. They took the full measure of what he was doing there and collected the kind of information that allowed us to move rapidly and alleviate the concerns of the community.”

PHOTO: CLIFFVIEW PILOT Correspondent Boyd A. Loving

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