School district, law enforcement responds to threatening remarks

There was a larger than normal police presence at Medford Schools on Friday as local law enforcement and school officials reacted to a potential threat.

On Thursday Medford School District Administrator Laura Lundy notified parents and staff members of potentially threatening comments made by a local resident.

Parents were alerted out of an abundance of caution and were given the option to decide to send their children to school on Friday with any absences not counting negatively toward them.

In a response to the comments, local law enforcement had additional patrols in and around the school buildings and of the individual who made the comments.

On Friday the district released the following list of frequently asked questions to parents.

What safety measures have been implemented prior to this incident?

Why hasn’t the individual been detained or arrested?

Please know that law enforcement and the district take all threats seriously and are actively monitoring the situation and the individual involved.

After investigating the situation, law enforcement has determined that specific details of the reported incident do not meet the legal requirements for an arrest under the state statutes regarding threats.

Controlled Access: All exterior doors are locked during school hours, and we utilize a secure entry system for visitors.

Staff Supervision: Staff members are strategically positioned in hallways and near entry/exit points during arrival and dismissal times.

'See Something, Say Something': We actively encourage students and staff to report any suspicious activity or concerns.

Regular Safety Drills: We conduct regular safety drills, including lockdown and evacuation procedures based on ALICE, to prepare students and staff for potential emergencies.

Police Liaison: The district partners with law enforcement to provide a dedicated police officer during the school day.

What other safety measures have been implemented based on this situation?

To further enhance student safety, we have taken the following proactive steps: Restricted Access: The individual is not permitted on school grounds.

Staff Notification: We have provided school staff with the individual's name and photograph for identification purposes.

Enhanced Security Measures: We are in contact with law enforcement and will continue with additional security measures if deemed necessary.