Lakeland Regional High School underwent a search by the FBI and Wanaque Police Department on March 14, 2025, after fears arose of a potential safety concern following the arrest of a maintenance worker on charges related to the sexual assault of a minor and child pornography. To the relief of the school community at large, the search returned no results.
Superintendent Mr. Hugh Beattie spoke with the Lancer Ledger to discuss the cause of the search.
Mr. Beattie stated that he got emails from both an employee and the Board of Education which expressed concerns that there might be hidden cameras in the bathrooms and other private areas throughout the school after ex-employee Scott Volpe was arrested on child pornography charges on March 12, 2025. Since his arrest, it has been confirmed that Volpe is charged with first-degree assault, as well as creating and possessing child pornography, according to News 12 New Jersey.
Although Mr. Beattie hadn’t known what led to the suspicion of the supposed cameras around the school, based on these concerns, Mr. Beattie called the FBI and the Wanaque Police Department insisting for them to come to the school to search bathrooms and locker rooms, among other areas.
Around 11:30 a.m. on March 14, the FBI and Wanaque Police Department came with a device detecting dog, Iris. A shelter in place, which is used incase of an emergency or in this case a search, is when students and teachers are not allowed to leave the building, but are able to continue instruction/learning and move from class to class.
Mr. Beattie stressed that the primary focus was the safety of LRHS students and staff. For the future of school safety, he shared that “that we’re just doing to keep doing what we’re doing… be open and all work all together.”
