Gun threat puts school emergency alert system to test
Originally published 01:19 p.m., October 23, 2007
Updated 01:30 p.m., October 23, 2007
A rumor of a gun threat at Washburn Rural Schools today tested a potentially life-saving alert system.
The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office last night received a threat that a student was going to bring a gun to school, police say. The word spread quickly to Facebook and MySpace and via text messaging alerting students.
The threat prompted administrators to use their new system that sent automated voice messages to parents and students via cell phone.
This was the first time the system, called School Reach, was used. The school had it up and running last week, but it's so new that school administrators hadn't had a chance to tell parents about it, said Superintendent Brenda Dietrich.
An investigation revealed the threat was unsubstantiated.
Within a few minutes, the message that the school was safe was sent and received by parents and students, Dietrich said.
"It worked exactly as it was supposed to," she said.
Additional law enforcement were on the premises today due to a planned activity at school to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence.
Tune in tonight for 49 News at 6 for more information about the alert system.
Comments
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Oct. 23, 2007 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)armando88 (anonymous)
I have a daughter that goes to WRHS and we didn't get any notification from the school to both of our cell phones today. Both our cell phone numbers (mom & dad's) are listed with the school.
It did NOT work EXACTLY as it was suppossed to.
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