Law enforcement officials determined that a threat that forced the lockdown of Tamaqua area schools and a community college Wednesday morning was not credible.

After an investigation by Tamaqua police, all schools were able to return to normal activities by Wednesday afternoon.

Lockdowns for “an unverified threat” made to the Schuylkill County Communications Center were enforced around 11 a.m. at all Tamaqua Area School District schools, as well as St. Jerome Regional School and Marian Catholic High School, both in Hometown, and Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Tamaqua campus.

According to John Matz, coordinator of Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency, a non-specific threat may have indicated that Tamaqua was the intended location.

Information was immediately relayed to all schools, and all went into precautionary conditions while police investigated.

“Unfortunately, an alert message sent by a post-secondary school may have given the impression that a more serious incident was taking place,” Matz said in a Wednesday news release. “This incorrect information quickly spread across the area and caused understandable concern by parents and family members.”

Matz sent an update at 1:30 p.m., noting that Tamaqua police officer Karl Harig “has completed the investigation and found no credible threat.”

All schools in the area then resumed normal routines, however, Tamaqua canceled afternoon kindergarten classes and canned most after-school activities.

District Superintendent Raymond J. Kinder issued a notice later Wednesday, saying that the district analyzed the threat with law enforcement and other agencies and reacted according to safety procedures.

Students were in a “state of restricted movement” throughout the day as police and school officials remained at all sites to enforce security, he said.

“While we have no credible evidence that the threat was real, we were nonetheless proactive in our approach,” he wrote. “We will continue to be vigilant. I can assure you that each decision that is made is with the best interest of our students and staff in mind.”

Kinder promised a “larger law enforcement presence” at schools to help students feel more comfortable.

He also encouraged parents and guardians to have age-appropriate conversations with their child in regard to the issues.

“Encourage them to communicate any concerns with school officials and emphasize that these circumstances are not a laughing matter,” he said.

He also asked parents and guardians to pay attention to social media posts to ensure only responsible information is disseminated.

“Rely upon accurate information coming from the school district and not from uninformed rumors,” he suggested.

He closed by thanking those who helped to address the issue as effectively as possible.

Matz said no additional information regarding the incident will be disseminated.

Amy Miller contributed to this report.