Cherry Valley lock down highlights safety protocols

POLSON — Cherry Valley Elementary School was under an external lock down for about an hour last Wednesday after a report of a suspicious male wearing a tactical vest, but with no visible weapons, in the area.

While police and school administrators say there was no realized threat, the incident sparked local conversation about whether it’s better to be safe or if the reaction to the call was overkill.

Law enforcement conducted a five square block search of the area after the initial report at about 11:45 a.m., and contacted a man at about 3:20 p.m. The juvenile was wearing a Gold’s Gym running vest, which was weighted with sand pouches.

No threats were made to the school, but the building was put on external lock down status, meaning no one could enter or exit the building and all the children were brought inside.

“When it involves human life, I’m always going to err on the side of caution,” Police Chief Wade Nash said, adding the situation created a chance to practice what would happen if there were a real threat.

“It was really comforting to see how fast they had the children inside and how secure the school was. And I was real impressed with that,” he added.

It’s not illegal to walk down the street with a gun, Nash said.

“But would it get attention? Absolutely,” he said.

Taking calls about suspicious behavior seriously is his job, Nash said, adding he would much rather respond and find out there is no credible threat than not respond and have a negative situation.

“If it’s important enough for them to call in … then it’s important enough to me, and I have a duty to look into it — whether it’s big or small,” Nash said. “That’s our job. We’re public servants.”

Something that made the situation difficult was people trying to get kids out of school, or just coming to see what was happening, Nash said.

“Trust your police department,” he said.

“When you congest it, it complicates it more, because now not only do you have the threat, but now you have the safety of the individuals who showed up.”

Cherry Valley Principal Elaine Meeks said the lock down was good practice for the school, and it reinforced her confidence that teachers and staff know how to react in emergency situations.

“Essentially, in a case like this, it became another opportunity to practice the drill,” Meeks said.

She was glad to hear from police, who recommended the school go on lock down, she said.

“It’s always best to err on the side of caution,” she said, adding the police were excellent to work with and kept her well-informed about the situation.

Children were brought inside from the playground and remained in locked classrooms until the external lock down was lifted.

Although the school was only on lock lock down for about an hour, rumors were rampant, and the school’s phones rang incessantly, Meeks said. She reminded parents that an automated phone call goes to each parent when, and if, an emergency occurs and asked that students’ relatives not tie up phones lines at the school.

Meeks said she wanted to reassure parents that student safety is always at the top of priorities for the school.

“We’re vigilant about it and their children’s safety is our number one concern.”