Safety and security protocol message

[Anonymous]

Anyone else feel like the message that went out this afternoon was missing some key recent information??

[Anonymous]

There were bomb threats in recent weeks at BCC and Whitman high schools, and Bethesda Elementary. They might have been swatting attempts.

[Anonymous]

And the timing? A week later, and on the same day of Montgomery County Council's meeting. Did they think folks would be too busy with the MoCo Council meeting to pay attention to this MCPS "message"?

[Anonymous]

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[Anonymous]

No mention of the gun at Paint Branch or the bullet found at Tilden also this week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the timing? A week later, and on the same day of Montgomery County Council's meeting. Did they think folks would be too busy with the MoCo Council meeting to pay attention to this MCPS "message"?

What does the county council meeting have to do with it? It’s not like everyone is breathlessly glued to their computers watching it. Most people probably aren’t event aware of council meetings until after the fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the timing? A week later, and on the same day of Montgomery County Council's meeting. Did they think folks would be too busy with the MoCo Council meeting to pay attention to this MCPS "message"?

What council meeting?

[Anonymous]

MCPS lawyers welcome to the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No mention of the gun at Paint Branch or the bullet found at Tilden also this week?

This seemed like it was meant to clarify the procedures and chain of command for threats made toward a school. There doesn’t always seem to be consistency in whether they evacuate or lock down when a threat in posted or called in, or much clarity over whose decision that would be.

I’m not sure I’m any clearer on any of that now, but that was my impression of the intent anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Why wasn't the message sent earlier? Was it a: send message because families on Dcum said they didn't receive a message. Check. Good to know MCPS reads dcum. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No mention of the gun at Paint Branch or the bullet found at Tilden also this week?

This seemed like it was meant to clarify the procedures and chain of command for threats made toward a school. There doesn’t always seem to be consistency in whether they evacuate or lock down when a threat in posted or called in, or much clarity over whose decision that would be.

I’m not sure I’m any clearer on any of that now, but that was my impression of the intent anyway.

So basically, Brian Hull wanted to clarify that the inconsistency in these calls is due to this bullet point?

The initial decision to shelter-in-place, lockdown, or evacuate is made by the school principal or designated administrator, guided by the specifics of the threat, the situation at the school, and any conversation with law enforcement.

If so, well played, Mr. Hull. Now how will OSSWB strike back?

[Anonymous]

Also this line is interesting - I didn’t observe this happening last week at at least one of the schools but maybe this is a new policy. If so, it’s a good development.

“When a school emergency prompts a shelter-in-place, lockdown, or evacuation MCPS will communicate with families, including updates at least every 20 minutes until the situation has been cleared.”

[Anonymous]

How ironic this message goes out the same time as the pending Reduction In Force. Less adults in the building will absolutely affect school security.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the timing? A week later, and on the same day of Montgomery County Council's meeting. Did they think folks would be too busy with the MoCo Council meeting to pay attention to this MCPS "message"?

What Montgomery County Council meeting are you talking about?