Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

New Jersey Teacher Under Investigation After Telling Teens Hanging Out In Closed Park She Hopes They 'Die' Of Virus

New Jersey Teacher Under Investigation After Telling Teens Hanging Out In Closed Park She Hopes They 'Die' Of Virus
Chris Da Crisis/YouTube

Not everyone is handling the stress of our current public health crisis well.

A New Jersey teacher provided an excellent example of this when she ranted at students who were playing football in a closed park, telling them she hoped they "die a long painful death."


The woman, who was later identified by several sources as Nicole Griggs, was filmed by one of the students after she began shouting at them from outside the park's fence.

Griggs teaches at Steinert High School in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, the school attended by several of the students.

She stopped to yell at the group, who were gathered in a closed public park, while walking her dog.

She began by admonishing them for being in the park, warning them that they could be arrested if the police showed up. Things quickly went downhill from there, however.

She first asks if she is:

"loud enough so you can hear me over your music. Parks closed. You will get arrested if the cops come."

Then one of the students asked:

"Wait, can we go over there?"

That seemed to be the breaking point for Griggs, as she quickly launched into a full blown rant.

"Parks closed. The whole area. Get it through your thick head. You are the reason we are in this situation. You are the problem, not the solution."
"Go ahead, keep recording. Who are you going to show it to? Post me on social media."
"You're the idiot doing the wrong thing. I'm just trying to save your a** and save your life. But die, OK. I hope both of you get the coronavirus. I hope you both die a long, painful death."

Social distancing is certainly a vital part of lessening the impact of the pandemic and keeping people alive, but shouting that you hope students die is not an effective way to enforce it.

Hamilton, NJ teacher caught on tape telling students she hopes they 'die' of coronavirusyoutu.be

The Trentonian reported that Griggs lives near the park where the confrontation took place. She has apparently confronted others breaking social distancing protocols before, as well.

The students she confronted did acknowledge that they should not have been gathered in the park, but couldn't believe that a teacher had actually wished death upon them.

"When she said that, I was shocked. I didn't know someone would say something like that, especially a teacher. She should be smarter with her words."

Superintendent Scott Rocco said that he had been informed of the video, and that Griggs is currently being investigated for her behavior.

Mayor Jeff Martin said that he had not seen the video, but condemned threats and ill wishes, especially during the current crisis.

He said that nobody should be:

"wishing death or harm on people. This is a very serious thing."
"We've got at least 50 people who have actually died from it, 50 families. It's not something to joke around about. Teacher or not, it's unacceptable"

The book The Cow in the Parking Lot: A Zen Approach to Overcoming Anger is available here.

More from Trending

Screenshots from @mstarland's TikTok video
@mstarland/TikTok

Pregnant Mom Calls Out Husband For Falling Asleep While Watching Their Two-Year-Old

There's nothing quite like discovering how much louder actions speak than words when your partner falls asleep on the job.

Especially when you're 38 weeks pregnant.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jake Tapper and Mike Turner
CNN

GOP Rep. Ousted From Chairmanship By Trump Calls Out Colleagues For Russian Propaganda In Resurfaced Clip

Speaking to anchor Jake Tapper on CNN last April, Ohio Republican Mike Turner said that Russian propaganda had "infected" the GOP in a clip that has resurfaced after President-elect Donald Trump had him ousted as House Intelligence Committee chair.

At the time, Turner made it clear that his fellow Republicans were parroting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine and its relationship with NATO members. That claim came after House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Michael McCaul, who said he thinks "Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base."

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @poorandhungry's TikTok video
@poorandhungry/TikTok

TikToker Dumbfounded After Discovering A Troll Signed Her Up For The Special Olympics

Some people are natural born givers and like to lift other people's spirits and find unique and fun ways to make them laugh.

TikToker @poorandhungry, or "Syd," is one such person who maintains a TikTok and Instagram account with funny parodies, quips, and skits that leave her audience rolling with laughter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @myriamestrella8's TikTok video
@myriamestrella8/TikTok

Lesbian Speaks Out After She And Partner Were Targets Of Homophobic Bullying On Disney Cruise

A l Disney fan and her partner believe they were targeted in a homophobic bullying incident while traveling on a Disney cruise.

Myriam–a.k.a. @myriamestrella8–recounted the disturbing incident in the first of a couple of TikTok videos that went viral.

Keep ReadingShow less
Man walking by warehouse forklift
Pickawood/Unsplash

People Describe The All-Time Worst Jobs They've Ever Had

Dream jobs are the ones where they don't feel like work at all.

Very few are lucky enough to earn a living while fulfilling their passions. In contrast, others show up despite the arduous tasks involved in raising a family or living a comfortable life.

Keep ReadingShow less