Lockdown inconsistencies warrant protocol changes By Grace Cueter & Grace Rossman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & MANAGING EDITOR PHOTO | Grace Rossman
When the lockdown alarm suddenly blared through In light of an increase of school shootings in recent classrooms and hallways of North on Dec. 19, students years, especially the close-to-home Oxford High and staff alike were filled with fear. Some found it School shooting in 2021, the lockdown was a terrifying difficult to adapt to a situation that was not a drill, 30 minutes. From 12:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. students including English teacher Paul Golm whose first were unaware of what potential dangers were in the thought was “Is this the real thing?” building and were left to think the worst as “lockdown, Although it was later deemed that the lockdown lockdown” was repeated over the PA. occurred due to a false active shooter threat, in the The typical protocols practiced in lockdown moment, Golm immediately rushed to the door to drills translated to most classrooms, but because protect his students from any possible threat. the lockdown occurred during late lunch, students “I remembered my training in certain areas of the and moved to act swiftly,” school were unsure of Golm said. “I immediately where to seek safety, as checked if my classroom door We have to do the best we can that information was not was locked and deployed previously communicated to prepare students. If they hear nylon cordage to ensure the directly to students. A door stayed shut.” something they should speak up. group of students in the Less than one minute lunchroom were ushered As long as we continue to teach after the threat was into the North Store, received, officers from the our kids to speak up and not worry where lockdown protocols Grosse Pointe Shores Police were not followed, about consequences, I think we Department, located 0.8 according to sophomore miles away from North, Alexandria Noyd. can get ahead of the issue. arrived at the school and “It was chaotic in began to secure the building. there,” Noyd said. “There MILES ADAMS They were followed by GPW was music playing, people GPW DETECTIVE Detective Miles Adams and were playing video games his team from the Grosse and the lights were on. Pointe Woods Police Department. People were not sitting down like I would usually “I was working with another officer securing the do for a lockdown.” gymnasium and the pool side of the building, and once Typically during lockdowns, teachers and students the school was secure, we met together and discussed are instructed to turn off the lights and move away from lifting the lockdown,” Adams said. “I investigated who doors and windows. Additionally, in classrooms on the made the threat while the other officers were determining first floor, the blinds are to be shut. This protocol has how to get everybody back to normal status.” been practiced throughout the school year, however,
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being in a state of uncertainty as to whether or not the situation was a drill elevated the fear many students felt, including senior Rita Shemmai. “My experience was very nerve wracking,” Shemmai said. “Not knowing what was going on added to the stress. I texted my friends and family to let them know what was going on, even though the only information I had was [based on] assumptions.” Directly following the lockdown, parents were notified and students were released at 1:45 p.m. for the remainder of the school day. Shemmai appreciates how the situation was handled, but believes the school can still better equip for the future. “I believe that we could take lockdown drills more seriously,” Shemmai said. “Teachers should shut the blinds and lights off during the drill, so that it translates to a real life scenario. I also noticed that other teachers barricaded their doors, so I believe that should be enforced [during a lockdown] too.” After the source of the threat had been identified and the lockdown had been lifted, Adams, police officers and members of North Faculty met to discuss the lockdown and changes that were important to implement to increase safety at the school. Adams notes that police training has expanded, and students can expect to see him operating in the building in the near future. “We have training and we train for active shooters,” Adams said. “We are equipped with better equipment to deal with these types of situations as well. Hopefully soon I will be able to have an office in the building, so random days throughout the week I'll be here working. That'll give a little bit more security from a law enforcement officer.” Although the event caused distress, the inconsistencies present throughout the lockdown served as a lesson to Assistant Principal Geoffrey Young, who plans on improving training and protocols in the event of future lockdowns. “I think for the next [lockdown] drill, we will focus the training to emphasize safe shelter locations for students, especially when students are in the cafeteria and parking lot,” Young said. “We want to use school messaging systems to communicate with students during a crisis, as soon as we possibly can. I also want to create an easy ‘what to do’ sheet for students that we refer to frequently during the year, so that the information is constantly on students' minds.” Even with a detailed plan in place, every situation may differ, which is why Adams believes that safety starts with the students, who must prioritize transparency over convenience. “We have to do the best we can to prepare students,” Adams said “If they hear something they should speak up. As long as we continue to teach our kids to speak up and not worry about consequences, I think we can get ahead of the issue.”