Why did parents learn about high school lockdown from their kids?
LEBANON, Ore. -- While police searched Lebanon High School for weapons during a lockdown Monday morning, relatives of students say they had to search for information.
The school was locked down for two hours , after an empty gun case was discovered in the boys locker room. No weapon was found.
The school went into lockdown just before 9 a.m. Students and teachers stayed indoors, away from doors and windows. Many students sent text messages to their relatives to let them know they were in lockdown.
Those relatives began calling the school, but no one answered.
It is the school's policy to control informaton while a lockdown is in progress, according to principal Bo Yates.
"Our job is to make sure things are safe here," said Yates. "It may be uncomfortable for parents but our number one priority is the kids in this building, and I think if parents understand that, I think they'll certainly support that."
Det. Sgt. Kevin Martinez, with the Lebanon Police Department said releasing information during the investigation can be harmful because it can be a distraction for investigators. For example, the school and police department had to take time to answer phone calls, he said.
Martinez said several parents drove to the high school during the lockdown to get information. They were asked to assemble in one location, where someone could relay information to them.
But several family members said it was important to keep them informed during the lockdown.
"I don't think it's very safe, it worries parents and family members," said Michael Simmons, whose younger sister is a student at Lebanon High School. "You don't know what's going on."
According to district policy, students are not supposed to have their phones on while at school.
"I never really leave my phone in my locker, just in case I need to call my mom or dad for anything. Like if there's emergencies," said Melinda Simmons, a freshman.
Yates said the text messages are a sign of the times.
"We'll go back and look at our processes and procedures and see how we can maybe do a better job of this, if we can," he said. "That will be one of the things we'll discuss."
