STUDENTS AT SOUTH SIOUX CITY’S HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD THEIR CLASSES INTERRUPTED WEDNESDAY MORNING WHEN THEY WERE SENT OUTDOORS BECAUSE OF A REPORT OF A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE.
THE DISRUPTION HAD BEEN PLANNED BY DAKOTA COUNTY AUTHORITIES TO CONDUCT A SAFETY EVACUATION DRILL TO TEST POLICIES IN CASE OF AN ACTUAL EVENT.
LT. CHRIS CHERNOCK OF THE SOUTH SIOUX POLICE SAYS THE MULTI-AGENCY SIMULATION STARTED AROUND 8:30AM WITH A CALL FROM THE SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUAL WITH A BACKPACK:
OC……….. SCHOOL PARKING LOT. :20
THE STUDENTS WERE NOT TOLD IN ADVANCE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND EVEN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TODD STROM DIDN’T KNOW WHEN THE DRILL WOULD TAKE PLACE:
OC………A POSSIBLE THREAT. :10
THEY WERE EVACUATED IN ORDERLY FASHION, AND LT. CHERNOCK SAYS ALERTS WERE PUT OUT BY AUTHORITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MEDIA TO LET PARENTS KNOW THAT THE EVENT WAS A PRACTICE SIMULATION:
OC…………WERE TO HAPPEN. :20
LT. CHERNOCK SAYS THE STUDENTS DID A GREAT JOB MOVING FROM THE SCHOOL TO DESIGNATED SAFE AREAS AWAY FROM THE BUILDING:
OC………ANY OF THE STUDENTS. ;14
STROM SAYS AUTHORITIES SET UP A COMMAND POST TO OVERSEE THE EVACUATION:
OC……..ALL OF OUR KIDS. :12
LATER IN THE DAY EVERYONE INVOLVED GOT TOGETHER TO DISCUSS HOW THE DRILL PLAYED OUT.
