A lockdown was issued and police responded after a student pulled an alarm indicating a threat at an elementary school in Gurnee Friday morning.
The Gurnee Police Department responded around 11:13 a.m. Friday to Woodland Elementary School, 7000 West Washington Street in Gurnee, for an alarm activation.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said a BluePoint pull alarm station was activated on the lower level of the school, prompting an immediate police response.
The Gurnee Police Department, with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene and began searching the school for potential threats.
The school was placed on a lockdown while officers conducted their investigation, Gaylor said.
An all-clear notification was given by 11:35 a.m. and the lockdown was lifted.
Gaylor said no threats were found inside or around the school.
A further investigation determined that a student had pulled the BluePoint alarm, triggering the police response.
BluePoint is an emergency alarm system designed to function similarly to a fire alarm but for law enforcement.
It immediately notifies police of a potential emergency, allowing for a rapid response, when it is activated.
“Schools implement systems like Blue Point to enhance safety and ensure law enforcement can respond quickly in critical situations,” Gaylor said.
The police department said it understands that incidents like these can be concerning for parents, students and staff.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the Woodland School District, and we want to reassure everyone that student safety remains a top priority,” Gaylor said.