High School undergoes lockdown in response to threat
BPHS went on lockdown on Thursday, March 10 after a student threat posted on social media was discovered.
BPHS entered lockdown at 1:38 PM on Thursday, March 10 in response to a threat found on social media.
Dr. J informed all students and staff via the PA system that a legitimate school-wide lockdown was in effect. Students and staff were instructed to stay inside their rooms, lock the doors, and wait for further information.
Following the release of this information, parents were instructed to wait to pick up students at the South Hills Assembly of God instead of at the school.
According to school officials, the threat was made early Thursday afternoon and the lockdown was initiated immediately following as per district policy.
This lockdown remained in effect until approximately 3:30 PM when busses left the high school parking lot to take students home.
Bethel Park School District released a statement describing the threat as “unsubstantiated.”
Bethel Park Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose released a statement on Thursday on the school district website attempting to clarify the events of the lockdown.
Ms. Rose said: “The administration was notified this afternoon that a threat against Bethel Park High School was posted on social media. The principal immediately locked down the building and notified the BP Police Department who ably took command of the situation. Within a very short time, they identified and secured the student who wrote the post.”
It was during the above described period that students and staff were kept on lockdown.
Following the apprehension of the student who made the threat, Ms. Rose said, “Once the police gave the all clear, students were released in an orderly fashion from their classrooms and escorted from the building at approximately 3:30 p.m.”
During the lockdown, school district spokeswomen, Vicki Flotta, sent the following message to parents: “High school and Independence Middle School students will be checked before getting on their buses and will then be taken home.”
In the same message, Mrs. Flotta said: “We are taking this measure in an abundance of caution. At this time, we do not have any evidence that the threat is credible.”
Neither school officials nor police have commented on the specific details of the threat.
Police were called and began to search the school and surrounding areas.
Lori Houy, a reporter from WPXI who was one of the first to arrive at the scene, replied to a Hawk Eye inquiry asking how they heard about the incident and how they learned about the threat itself.
Her reply was as follows: “[WPXI] first learned about the threat and lockdown from concerned parents who contacted the station. Then [WPXI] saw the bulletin posted on the school website. A police officer at the church told [WPXI] it was a Facebook threat and that’s where [WPXI] saw a picture of it. School officials at the administration office told [WPXI] a parent first alerted security at the district today.”
In order to confirm the absence of any weapons, Ms. Rose said: “Following student dismissal, the police conducted a comprehensive search of the building to insure there were no further concerns. We are relieved to report that the threat was unsubstantiated.”
Ms. Rose’s final comment in her statement was: “Please reinforce with your children the seriousness of making threats, however harmlessly they are intended. In addition, encourage your children to report any rumors or postings immediately to the school administration or the police. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the high school principals, School Police Officer Jim Modrak, and the many police that supported our administration today. In addition, I want to acknowledge our staff and students who responded to the lock down in a safe and orderly fashion. I was very proud of their patience and diligence. Lastly, I thank the parents for their cooperation and calm endurance during what likely was a stressful time for them.”
School will resume Friday and continue as normal.
BPHS senior Greydon Tomkowitz is the current Editor-In-Chief of Hawk Eye, a position he has served in for three years.
Greydon joined the newspaper...
Blake hagerty • Mar 11, 2016 at 9:08 am
I was in woodshop when the lights went out. I thought it was just the classmates goofing off messing with the lights. I did not realize that there was a lockdown. When I saw the first police car show up, I decided to pull up my police scanner on my phone and listen to whats going on. Before any of the students knew what was going on, I heard that there was a threat at the H.S. I immediately told my teacher Mr Smock. Mr Smock and some classmates huddled around me listening to what the police had to say. Over the scanner I heard things like “Unit # I’m heading to Bethel Park”, And “All units If any parents try to show up and pick their kids up, redirect them to the South Hills Assembly Of God”. The most important thing I heard was who was allowed to leave the school and who was not allowed to leave. I felt very safe for two reasons: 1. We were in the woodshop which had tools we could use for self defense. 2 If there was someone who was trying to harm students I could hear on the scanner where they are at in the school so I could warn my friends and my class that I was currently in for their safety. Maybe If more people could hear what the police are saying they could prepare if they say where the threat is. Thanks for reading. #StaySafeBPSD.
Makayla • Mar 11, 2016 at 8:46 am
I wasnt checked either on the event. I left the school with my back pack and a binder in my hand. I didn’t like how little information we were give as the event went on. Plus even tho the kid was detained very early on we were in lock down for a while. I wish we were give more information at the time so that we could tell our parents so they woudn’t worry.
Greydon Tomkowitz • Mar 11, 2016 at 10:55 am
I am merely writing with information from the school and other news sources. I intend to follow this up with a feature in which I interview students about their thoughts on the lockdown and how thoroughly protocol was followed. I realize that not all of the information provided by the school and the media is entirely truthful and I want to point that out in a follow up article.
Ethan • Mar 10, 2016 at 11:10 pm
I just want to say that a couple news outlets (including WPXI) reported that “all students were checked before they left the building…” I, myself, was not checked, in addition to what I would say is the majority of the school. In fact, I was able to leave with my backpack, my lunchbox, and coat in hand without being stopped. I don’t understand why this misinformation has been spread, as it obviously is false.
Greydon Tomkowitz • Mar 11, 2016 at 10:52 am
I am merely writing with information from the school and other news sources. I intend to follow this up with a feature in which I interview students about their thoughts on the lockdown and how thoroughly protocol was followed. I realize that not all of the information provided by the school and the media is entirely truthful and I want to point that out in a follow up article.