Schools talk safety after hoax threats

TYLER – Multiple East Texas schools have received threats over the last few weeks, including Chapel Hill, Rusk, Alto, and Troup. Now, according to our news partner KETK, law enforcement agencies are examining the most effective tactics to prevent these threats from escalating.

Chief Kyndal Brown with Troup ISD recalled an incident on April 13: “So last week we received a phone call just after lunches were over that an individual stated that he was going to come into our high school with an AR-15 style rifle and then he was going to go down to the middle school and obviously, we immediately responded. Both officers were able to immediately secure the exterior,” Brown said. He added that the call was non-credible and that they don’t need to update their protocols in light of these threats.

Troup ISD uses the state-wide Standard Response Protocol: HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, AND SHELTER. On Monday, the school entered a ‘SECURE’ status.

Chief Brown explained each action-statement in the following ways:

HOLD: clear the hallways; used for medical emergencies
SECURE: everyone indoors, exterior doors locked; used when a threat is outside the campus
LOCKDOWN: doors locked, turn off lights, remain out of sight
EVACUATE: evacuate to a specific location; used in fires or bomb threats
SHELTER: evacuate to the designated shelter room; used during tornadoes

The five alert codes are now used statewide to avoid confusion with potential substitutes or new students. One area Brown said schools across the state could improve is training.

Jacksonville ISD police chief Bill Avera attended Public Information Training in Conroe through ‘The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’. The trainings were mandated through House Bill 33, as a result of the 2022 Uvalde shooting in South Texas.

“One thing I realized is today’s parents are more tech-driven and used to constant communication,” Avera said. “They have a desire to know, but we also have to protect the integrity of the scene, the integrity of the situation, the privacy of those that are involved.”

Troup ISD focuses its training on daily reminders and staff drills.

“I do a full either a morning or afternoon block with each campus staff and teach them just standard response protocol stuff, they are only going to be as prepared as we train them,” Brown said.

Brown is now hoping to work with Troup ISD parents for an upcoming ‘Parent Preparedness Night.’