Case of mistaken identity led to a Broward school’s Code Red lockdown
.jpeg "The tuba section of the J.P. Taravella Marching Trojans stood outside the Coral Springs school entrance in this February 2008 file photo. The band that year was selected to play in the inaugural parade of President-elect Barack Obama. The school is at 10600 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs.")
Hours after a Broward County school went into Code Red lockdown on Thursday morning, Coral Springs police explained what led them to act on what was described as a “suspicious incident.”
According to the police department, a student at the school told a security monitor that she saw a former student on the campus carrying a large bag just after 7:30 a.m.
Administrators issued the Code Red, alerted the school’s resource officer, and contacted Coral Springs police.
After clearing the campus, and reviewing surveillance video, officers determined that the reported “suspicious person” was “an actual student who resembled a former student.”
By 9:45 a.m., the lockdown was lifted. Police sent the message to parents via Twitter.
No hard feelings over the case of mistaken identity, however.
“We are proud of the student for coming forward to alert officials of the possible security risk,” Coral Springs police said in a news release, praising the quick action of school security, administrators and the resource officers assigned to the campus.
Officers from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward School Board Special Investigations Unit, as well as fire-rescue teams from Coral Springs, Margate-Coconut Creek and Tamarac also assisted.
“Teachers and students did what they were trained to do and as you can imagine, it was a stressful incident for personnel and students. We encourage families to speak to their children about the incident to ensure their mental well-being. As always, call 211 for assistance and resources,” Coral Springs police said.
During the investigation and lockdown police had used its social media accounts to tell parents there were no “immediate threats.”
Traffic was restricted in the area of the school at 10600 Riverside Dr. during the lockdown — adding to a slow commute due to morning rains throughout South Florida.
This story was originally published April 4, 2019 at 9:51 AM.
