Two schools in Reno, Smithridge Elementary and Pine Middle School, were placed on a brief lockdown Thursday morning as a safety measure due to police activity in a nearby area. The lockdowns have since been lifted after the Reno Police Department determined there was no threat to the public, and school officials confirmed that campus operations were not significantly disrupted.
Key Takeaways
- Smithridge Elementary and Pine Middle School entered a precautionary lockdown on Thursday morning.
- The action was prompted by a police response to a report of a suspicious person near the campuses.
- Reno Police investigated and found no criminal activity or threat to the public.
- The lockdowns were lifted within approximately 30 minutes, and school principals have communicated with families.
Police Respond to Report Near School Campuses
The incident began shortly after 8 a.m. on Thursday when the Reno Police Department received a call about a suspicious individual reportedly armed with a gun in the vicinity of Neil Road. Given the proximity to two school campuses, police advised both Smithridge Elementary and Pine Middle School to initiate lockdown procedures as a precautionary step to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Washoe County School District officially posted information about the lockdowns on its website at approximately 8:15 a.m., alerting the community to the ongoing situation. Officers immediately began a search of the area described in the report.
Understanding School Lockdown Procedures
School lockdowns are standard safety protocols designed to protect students and staff from a potential threat outside the school building. During a lockdown, all exterior doors are locked, and classroom activities continue inside, away from windows and doors, until law enforcement gives an "all clear" signal.
Investigation Resolves Situation Quickly
Police officers located and detained a man matching the description provided by the caller. After a thorough investigation, authorities determined that no crime had been committed. According to the Reno Police Department, the situation was a misunderstanding.
The individual who was detained was identified as a tenant in the area. The original caller reportedly did not recognize him. After confirming these details, the man was released. Police officials have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the schools or the surrounding community. The updated information was posted by the school district about half an hour after the initial alert.
Timeline of Events
- Just after 8:00 a.m.: Reno Police receive a report of a suspicious person.
- Approximately 8:15 a.m.: Smithridge Elementary and Pine Middle School are placed on lockdown as a precaution.
- Shortly before 9:00 a.m.: Police conclude their investigation, determining no threat exists.
- Around 8:45 a.m.: The school district updates its website, confirming the lockdowns have been lifted.
Schools Communicate with Families After Incident
Following the lifting of the lockdowns, principals from both schools sent messages to families to provide accurate information and reassurance. The communications aimed to clarify the nature of the event and confirm that students were safe throughout the incident.
Pine Middle School Operations
Leah Ramsey, the principal of Pine Middle School, informed parents that the campus was placed on lockdown due to police activity in the neighborhood. She stressed that instructional activities continued inside the classrooms during the brief period. Her message aimed to assure families that the school's routine was maintained as much as possible.
Smithridge Elementary School Drop-Off
At Smithridge Elementary School, Principal Mike Dixon reported a similar message. He noted that the police activity did not interrupt the school's normal morning drop-off routine for students. This detail was important for parents who may have been arriving at the campus during the time of the police response.
"Each principal said that campuses were placed on lockdown due to a report of police activity near their campuses... teaching continued during the incident, while Smithridge Elementary Principal Mike Dixon said the school's normal drop-off routine was not interrupted."
The swift resolution and clear communication from both the Reno Police Department and the Washoe County School District helped to manage the situation efficiently, ensuring the community was informed and that the disruption to the school day was minimal.
