The University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus has reopened and resumed normal operations following a temporary closure on Saturday, February 21. Law enforcement officials investigated a phone threat and determined there was no active danger to the community.
An increased police presence will remain on campus throughout the day as a precautionary measure. All classes, activities, and events scheduled for the afternoon and evening are proceeding as planned.
Key Takeaways
- UW-Parkside campus reopened at 1:00 p.m. on February 21 after a threat investigation.
- The threat was made via a phone call Saturday morning, prompting a campus-wide alert.
- A multi-agency law enforcement investigation found no credible active threat.
- Previously canceled campus events, including afternoon basketball games, were set to resume.
Campus Operations Resume After Alert
Officials at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside gave the all-clear for the campus to reopen at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The decision came after a thorough investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies concluded that a morning threat was not credible.
In a statement, the university confirmed that all scheduled activities would continue as planned from 1:00 p.m. onward. Students and staff were advised that they would see a heightened law enforcement presence on campus for the remainder of the day to ensure community safety and provide reassurance.
Timeline of Events
The situation unfolded over several hours on Saturday morning. The initial phone threat triggered an immediate response, leading to a campus-wide alert and closure. By early afternoon, authorities had assessed the situation and deemed it safe for normal activities to resume, minimizing disruption to scheduled events.
The Initial Threat and Response
The incident began on the morning of Saturday, February 21, when the university received a threat by phone. The UW-Parkside Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the call.
In response to the threat, the university issued a UWP Ranger alert, a campus-wide emergency notification. The alert instructed individuals to either evacuate the campus or shelter in place for their safety. This precautionary measure led to the temporary closure of the entire university grounds.
Several law enforcement agencies collaborated on the investigation. The UW-Parkside Police Department worked alongside the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and other local authorities to assess the credibility of the threat. Officials confirmed that the incident was limited to a phone threat, and no suspect information was immediately available.
Multi-agency cooperation is standard procedure for potential threats at educational institutions, ensuring a rapid and comprehensive response by pooling resources from campus, county, and sometimes state-level law enforcement.
Impact on Campus Events
The timing of the threat caused a significant disruption to a planned campus event. Saturday was scheduled as Alumni Day at the Games, set to take place in the university's sports and activity center.
The event was slated to feature men's and women's basketball games, with start times of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Following the initial alert, the UW-Parkside Alumni Association took to social media and other channels to advise alumni and visitors not to travel to campus for the games.
With the campus officially reopening at 1:00 p.m., the 3:00 p.m. game was expected to proceed. The status of the 1:00 p.m. game was directly impacted by the closure, but the university's swift resolution of the situation allowed for the afternoon's schedule to continue with minimal changes.
"Following an investigation by law enforcement, authorities have determined that there is no active threat to the campus," university officials stated in a public announcement confirming the reopening.
The quick dissemination of information through the UWP Ranger alert system and official university channels was crucial in managing the situation. It ensured that students, staff, and visitors were kept informed and could take appropriate safety measures until the all-clear was given.