Another school in the City of Roanoke is on "hold and secure" on Thursday due to a potential threat.
Lucy Addison Middle School is the third school in just two days to see an incident similar to a lockdown in the City of Roanoke.
Below is the robocall sent to parents about the incident (this has been updated to reflect a correction from RCPS on calling the incident a "hold & secure," as opposed to a lockdown):
Good afternoon. This is an emergency message from Roanoke City Public Schools. Lucy Addison Middle School is currently on a hold and secure due to a potential threat. Students are currently with their teachers. No one is hurt and we will keep you updated regularly. Administrators are working with police. We ask parents to please stay where you are and do not come to the school. Again, please do not come to the school. Police will not allow anyone on campus until the hold and secure is lifted. We will communicate more information as soon as we know it.
According to RCPS's Safety & Security page, these are the difference between a "hold and secure" and a "lockdown:"
- Hold and Secure - This response protocol is used to prevent unauthorized entry if a threat is near the school campus i.e., a robbery in proximity to the school. The school is secured from outside entry. All outside activities are canceled, students are brought inside the building, all exterior doors are secured while staff and students are free to move about inside their building. Security personnel monitor the main door to ensure that only individuals with legitimate school business enter. The principal may decide to restrict activities in the building depending on the circumstances.
- Lockdown-Response protocol used to enhance security measures taken to protect against potentially violent intruders that may be inside the building or on the school site. The school is secured from outside entry, movement inside the building is restricted and all doors are locked. Classrooms lights are off and window blinds closed.
Around 1 p.m., parents received notification of the "hold and secure" being lifted:
This is a follow-up message from Roanoke City Public Schools. We want to let you know that the hold and secure has been lifted at Lucy Addison Middle School, and the threat was deemed unsubstantiated. Instruction has resumed, and police continue to investigate the origin of the threat. Thank you for your support of Lucy Addison Middle School.
RCPS said the threat was deemed unsubstantiated. Police continue to investigate the origin of the threat.