Threatening Message Places Bullitt East High School on Alert

Over the last several years school safety has been thrust into the national consciousness. US Department of Education has spent millions in REMS grant aimed at funding safety and security upgrades at school district across the nation. Every day additional incidents highlight the critical need for schools to plan for many types of emergency incidents. This needs struck home this morning at Bullitt East High School.

Bullitt East high school staff members found a threatening message and bathroom this morning. The message threatened gun violence against the school. In response, school administrators placed Bullitt Eash High School on heightened alert. This move initiated several steps to safeguard Bullitt Eash High School's staff and students.

Heightened security procedures allow normal classroom operations to continue. While also ensuring that staff and teachers are aware of the potential incident and look for any signs of potentially dangerous items near their areas.

Local law enforcement officials are searching Bullitt East High School for any suspicious items. Research did not turn up any threatening items. However, law enforcement officials are continuing to look at surveillance video and interview students. Their investigation is endeavoring to ensure there is no threat and identify the person leaving the message.

Bullitt East High School's response to the threatening message shows how emergency planning aid schools in responding to many different types of incidents. Similar situations can happen whether the school is in an urban or rural area. Any schools who have not planned for incidents requiring responses such as heightened security, lockdown, or evacuation should take the time to create the necessary policies or review their current ones. These simple steps will aid in ensuring the safety of staff and students.

References

Bullitt East High School on high alert after threatening messages found in bathroom. November 2009. WHAS11.com. Retrieved November 18, 2009 from http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Bullitt-East-High-School-on-high-alert-after-threatening-message-is-found-in-bathroom-70367882.html