By Jeff Poole
Review Managing Editor
Published: May 8, 2008

Wednesday morning, a call came out over the scanner. “Code red at Prospect Heights.”
Within moments, police officers and sheriff’s deputies were on the scene. Students and teachers had barricaded themselves in their rooms. Officers secured the inside of the building and a perimeter outside the school.
We watched from the safety of the parking lot as our officers responded not knowing the severity of the emergency they faced.
They were vigilant, professional, earnest and intense. They were just like we need them to be in a situation such as this.
Only later did we find out the whole thing was a hoax. A student claimed a man came into the school and tried to abduct her. We know that now. But last Wednesday, the officers on the scene didn’t know that and responded as though the children were in danger. They didn’t know the student had made it up. They didn’t know there was no attempted abduction, much less a suspect. They protected the students and staff, while pursuing what they believed to be a real suspect. They didn’t find one because one didn’t exist.
The good news of this situation is that everyone did what they were supposed to do--from the students, to the staff, to the officers who responded.
We wish we didn’t have to have procedures for such things, but since we do, we’re glad we execute them efficiently and successfully.
Sadly, school violence has become a growing issue in our society. We don’t have to look too far into the recent history to find instances of violence in our schools that strike fear in the hearts of parents everywhere.
We didn’t have these problems 20 years ago. Now, the threat is very real.
Schools should be safe havens for our children. For the most part, they are. But, if something (real) should happen, we can rely on the knowledge that our officers are ready and able to respond professionally and expeditiously to protect and serve.