Students return safely to class after lockdown procedures at three schools

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December 20, 2012

Students return safely to class after lockdown procedures at three schools

By TAMMIE TOLER Princeton Times The Zope Gazette Thu Dec 20, 2012, 10:23 AM EST

PRINCETON — Despite a brief scare, students at three Mercer County schools were reportedly back in class and safe by approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

Lockdown searches were conducted at Princeton Middle, Princeton Senior High School and the Mercer County Technical Education Center — all without finding any real threats.

According to Mary Wellman, of the Mercer County Schools Central Office, the ordeal began with a threat involving a gun that was allegedly slated to take place today. The threat was believed to have been posted on Facebook, from a computer at the Mercer County Technical Education Center at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

School officials learned of the threat early Thursday morning.

Princeton Middle School Principal Danny Buckner reported that the potential threat to Princeton Middle was discovered as students discussed rumors aboard their buses early in the day.

Buckner said the entire school had practiced lockdown procedures for the previous two days, so students were prepared when he issued the order Thursday to remain inside their classes until the school could be secured.

“We just can’t take anything too seriously; we have to run these things down,” Buckner said.

He said he voluntarily called officers from the Princeton Police Department to the school to search the grounds, and the facility received an all-clear by 9:40 a.m.

On Stafford Drive, Wallace Security Agency guards who work daily at the school diverted traffic attempting to enter the campus, while PPD officers searched that structure. Despite the fears and a heightened sense of vulnerability generated by last week’s Newtown, Conn., school shooting, the scenes at all locations involved were calm and orderly.

By roughly 10 a.m., Wellman reported she’d just received a call from Assistant Superintendent Joe Turner advising that all three schools were safe and students were back to the books on their last day of class before the holiday break.

The Times will update information, as soon as it is available.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.

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Students return safely to class after lockdown procedures at three schools

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