Gibbon Public Schools will have an increased law enforcement presence on campus Friday following a lockdown event on Thursday. The security measure was prompted by threats made against the school, which led to the arrest of one individual under the age of 18.
According to school officials, the decision to have police on site is intended to reassure students and parents and ensure a safe learning environment. The lockdown, referred to as a "SECURE" mode, was lifted on Thursday afternoon after the person was taken into custody.
Key Takeaways
- Gibbon Public Schools will have a police presence all day Friday as a precautionary measure.
- A lockdown was initiated on Thursday around noon due to unspecified threats.
- The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office confirmed a person under 18 was taken into custody.
- The lockdown ended before 3 p.m., and school activities resumed as normal.
Chronology of the Thursday Lockdown
The incident at Gibbon Public Schools began to unfold around noon on Thursday. The district used its social media channels to inform the public about the security situation.
In its first announcement, the district stated, "Out of an abundance of caution, the district is in a SECURE. This means the outside doors are locked and no one will be allowed to enter or exit." This initial step effectively sealed the campus to outside access while allowing activities to continue inside the buildings.
Throughout the afternoon, the school provided updates confirming that the SECURE mode remained in effect. During this time, law enforcement from the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene. A sheriff's vehicle was observed outside the school building at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Resolution and Dismissal
Just before 3 p.m., Gibbon Public Schools announced the resolution of the incident. A final social media post confirmed that the SECURE mode had been lifted and that a person was in custody. The district assured parents that school would be dismissed at the normal time and that bus services would operate on their regular schedules.
What is 'SECURE' Mode?
The term "SECURE" is part of the Standard Response Protocol used by many schools. It is different from a full "LOCKDOWN." In a SECURE situation, the threat is considered to be outside the building. All exterior doors are locked, but classes and activities can continue normally inside. A full LOCKDOWN, by contrast, is used when a threat is inside the building and requires students and staff to lock classroom doors, turn off lights, and remain silent.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office was central to managing the situation. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office provided details to reporters at the scene, clarifying the timeline of events from law enforcement's perspective.
The school district contacted the sheriff's office at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. The call was made to report that threats had been received, raising concerns for the safety of the student body. The nature of these threats has not been publicly disclosed.
Following the report, deputies responded to the campus. The investigation led to one individual being taken into custody. Officials confirmed the person is a minor, under the age of 18. No further identifying information about the individual has been released due to their age.
Timeline of Key Events
- Around 12:00 PM: Gibbon Public Schools announces it is in "SECURE" mode.
- 12:30 PM: The school district officially reports threats to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office.
- 2:50 PM: A Buffalo County Sheriff's vehicle is present on the school campus.
- Before 3:00 PM: The district announces the lockdown has ended and a person is in custody.
Measures to Ensure Campus Safety
In the aftermath of the lockdown, school administration took immediate steps to address the concerns of the community. The primary measure is the increased police presence scheduled for the entire school day on Friday.
Superintendent Vern Fisher addressed parents and guardians directly through a public statement on the school's Facebook page. His message focused on restoring a sense of security for families.
"We want parents and guardians to feel comfortable sending their children to school," Superintendent Fisher wrote. "As a sign of support for those concerns, we will have a police presence on campus the entire day."
This action is designed to provide a visible deterrent and a source of reassurance for students, staff, and parents. School officials have not indicated if any other security protocols will be changed.
Unanswered Questions Remain
While the immediate incident has been resolved with an arrest, several questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not provided specific details regarding several key aspects of the case.
Important information that has not been released includes:
- The specific content and nature of the threats.
- How the threats were communicated to the school.
- The identity of the individual or group targeted by the threats.
The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office has not yet released further information as the investigation is ongoing. Given that the person in custody is a minor, it is likely that many details will remain confidential to comply with juvenile privacy laws.
The school district also declined to provide additional comments to reporters at the scene, directing inquiries to law enforcement. The community awaits further updates from the sheriff's office as they become available.