Police presence increased after threat at Flomaton High School
A threat made against Flomaton High School Friday afternoon put law enforcement and school officials on high alert with an extra law enforcement presence Monday and also the use of metal detectors for anyone entering the building.
Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said it was determined there was no valid threat but all threats are treated seriously and said plans and mechanisms are in place when an event like that happens.
The treat came a little more that a week after a school shooting in Georgia. There were also reports of threats made at several different schools across Alabama and one at Ernest Ward Middle School in Escambia County, Fla.
Sheriff Jackson said in addition to the added law enforcement presence at Flomaton he also had additional officers at Escambia County High School and W.S. Neal High School.
“We wanted to make sure all the schools in the county were safe,” Sheriff Jackson said. “We had additional officers at the three high schools and will continue to do so.”
He added that the Flomaton Police Department, Atmore Police Department and East Brewton Police Department also added additional officers at their respective schools.
Flomaton Principal Mark Harbison said the threat apparently began with a conversation on a school bus Friday afternoon and once officials were made aware of the situation safety procedures were implemented.
Escambia County School Superintendent Dr. Michele Collier and Harbison made Facebook posts over the weekend to notify parents and students of the situation.
“We received notice of a potential school threat,” Dr. Collier wrote.”Please know that we are taking this threat very seriously. Since receiving the information, Escambia County Sheriff’s department and their investigators, along with our school officials, have been working diligently to identify those involved and determine the validity of this threat.”
“The safety and well-being of our students, teachers and staff are our top priorities and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.”
Dr. Collier noted that after investigating the incident, no credible threat was found.
‘However, we take these matters very seriously and only want to protect our school communities,” Dr. Collier wrote. “As part of our response to this situation, we will be utilizing our metal detectors more thoroughly and frequently.”
Harbison said Monday morning metal detectors were in place and all students first went straight to the auditorium. He also noted more than half the students were absent Monday.
FHS Assistant Principal Leslie Sellers said anytime there is a school shooting anywhere other schools go on high alert.
