NJ schools increase security after incidents involving neighbor

nbc10 investigators NJ schools increase security after incidents involving neighbor A Southampton man is accused of recklessly firing a gun on his property near a school campus and harassing staff. He denies taking it too far. By David Charns • Published 5 minutes ago • Updated 5 minutes ago Parents in Burlington County are raising concerns after a series of incidents involving a man who lives next to a school campus prompted two straight days of shelter-in-place measures. Southampton Township School District officials said their campus was placed under a shelter-in-place for a second day on Wednesday, Nov. 11 as a precaution amid what they described as ongoing issues involving a neighbor and several calls to New Jersey State Police. Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10. WATCH HERE That neighbor, Mark Cozens, lives next to the schools. When the NBC10 Investigators visited Cozen's property last week, skeletons holding rifles were displayed outside. State police and school security were seen patrolling the neighboring campus Wednesday. Christina Stevens, whose son attends school there, said she supported the district's response. “I really applaud the school and the superintendent for making sure the kids had increased police presence,” Stevens said. Federal law generally prohibits possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of school grounds but includes an exception for firearms possessed on private property that is not part of school grounds. New Jersey law separately prohibits possessing a firearm on school buildings or grounds without written authorization. Local Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. First Alert Weather 5 hours ago Rain returns and cooler temperatures follow end of week Chester 14 minutes ago Chester faces possible bankruptcy with $45.7 million in funding needs for 2027 Last month, New Jersey State Police arrested Cozens after authorities charged him with recklessly firing a gun on his property. Police subsequently took away his firearms, Cozens said. Cozens told the NBC10 Investigators last week that he fired for only a few minutes. “I only shoot for about five minutes,” Cozens said. “I shot there. They ended up locking the poor kids down. A state trooper comes in my yard.” Without identifying Cozens by name, school leaders told parents in an email that beginning last week, a neighbor played loud music toward the school, sent what officials described as “concerning emails” and drove through the school parking lot yelling at staff. Cozens confirmed he was the person referenced and denied making threats. Stevens said she believes the school and police have taken appropriate precautions. “The police and the school did the right thing in making sure that there was increased police presence and making sure that this person hopefully can get some help,” she said. Court records show a warrant was issued Tuesday, Nov. 10 for Cozens' arrest on a charge of terroristic threats, or threatening to commit a crime of violence. On Wednesday, Cozens told the NBC10 Investigators he is no longer in New Jersey and called the response to the situation an overreaction. He also denied taking anything too far that would make anyone feel they were in danger. The school superintendent said the district is taking the situation seriously. “Our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the superintendent said in a statement to NBC10. “We are hopeful that this matter will reach a resolution soon, and we will continue to communicate with our school community as the situation develops.” Records obtained by the NBC10 Investigators show New Jersey State Police have been called to Cozens' property several times since last month. NBC10 reached out to New Jersey State Police for additional information Wednesday but did not receive a response. The incidents have also prompted a proposal for a new township ordinance that would place additional restrictions on discharging firearms near schools. NBC10 investigative reporter David Charns can be reached at [email protected] . This article tagged under: nbc10 investigators New Jersey Burlington County