Schools ‘lockdown’ after threat

• KPBSD schools locked down to practice being under attack
By Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune

HOMER TRIBUNE/Sean Pearson - Homer High School snow shoveling was a big chore Tuesday after two feet or more of snow and drifts needed to be cleaned before school could open again on Wednesday.

Homer students, staff and administrators participated in Level II Lockdown and “hit the deck” drills last week after a jailed man voiced threats to the Kenai Peninsula School District.

On Jan. 3 Superintendent Steve Atwater was informed by the Homer Police Department that an incarcerated individual had allegedly threatened violence at a Kenai Peninsula Borough school. No specific school was named.
In response, and as part of an ongoing EAP drills designed for “prevention, preparedness, response and recovery,” Atwater instructed all school administrators to hold a level II lockdown drill and a “hit the deck” drill by the end of the day on Friday. A Level II drill includes staff and students. All district schools reported participating; one school had already practiced before winter break. The school district thanked local police and troopers who were present at some schools.
“At no time were our schools in immediate danger by the individual who made the alleged threat,” Atwater said in a press release.  “I am pleased with the good response by our schools when practicing a lockdown drill and by the close cooperation with the four city police departments and Alaska State Troopers.”
At Homer High School, Principal Allan Gee said they completed the drill Tuesday morning.
“The intent of the drill is to make sure everyone is safe, that an intruder cannot get into the building, and once the building has been cleared we can resume our normal activities,” Gee said. “It’s similar to our earthquake or fire drills. We make sure teachers are aware of the protocol.”
The school practices monthly fire drills and twice-a-year earthquake drills. “In an earthquake drill, they get under their desks and secure themselves, making sure they get away from large objects,” Gee said.

“In the lockdown, we had two people act as mock intruders, and the idea was that no one was to open the door to them under any circumstances. It’s always good to be prepared and hope nothing of the kind ever happens,” he said.
The individual who made the alleged threat remains incarcerated, and has been moved to a facility outside of the borough. The school district is continuing to work closely with the Alaska State Troopers who have jurisdiction over this case, and local police in Homer, Kenai, Seward and Soldotna.  All law enforcement authorities were working closely together.