By Jake Fogal
BLOOMINGTON – A lockdown at Bloomington High School and Junior High School earlier this month led to one person being arrested after allegedly bringing a weapon to campus.
District 87’s Superintendent, Dr. David Mouser, is recapping the lockdown that took place, and what the district did well, and where things could be improved.
According to a District 87 news released at the time of the lockdown, “the situation was swiftly addressed with the help of the Bloomington Police Department.”
The lockdown lasted 10 minutes, as Bloomington Police Officers located the person who had made the threat.
Mouser confirmed to WJBC’s Scott Miller that the person did not have a weapon, but the threat was handled properly.
“It’s hard to say what went well in these situations. The major thing that went well is that nobody got hurt. We are not sitting here today talking about a tragedy, we are talking about an opportunity for us to learn from it. Our protocols are in place, but these situations are always going to be situations you react to regardless of how good your plan is,” Mouser said.
Mouser says that District 87 officials have reviewed the lockdown so adjustments can be made for future threats. That includes tightening up protocols on entering the building, and making sure all staff, including substitute teachers, are equipped with a key to lock doors.
The event caused many to jump on social media to follow along with updates, but speculation online led many to be misinformed.
“It is frustrating. In the moment, what we are relying on are folks to be level-headed. I understand that people want to jump out on social media and say what they are hearing or speculating, but it doesn’t help us at all.”
“I always appreciate when people do step up and say the school district needs to make sure our kids are safe first then they will communicate what is happening,” Mouser said.
Information regarding the event was released to parents, media, etc. once the situation was under control and the suspect had been apprehended.
Jake Fogal can be reached at Jacob.Fogal@Cumulus.com.
