The recent lockdown at our school, prompted by a law enforcement incident near campus, revealed concerns about our emergency preparedness. While our security team responded swiftly, the response from our school community highlighted a troubling lack of understanding about proper lockdown procedures.
The unfamiliarity with the lockdown siren proved particularly problematic. Though everyone heeded the basic instruction to remain inside buildings, the response fell far short of proper safety protocols. Students wandered hallways freely, talking about what might be happening outside. Class group chats exploded with memes poking fun at the situation, while some teachers continued their lessons as if nothing unusual was occurring.
This huge disparity in responses was striking. While some students took precautions by hiding in rooms or barricading themselves behind a desk, others appeared confused about whether to follow “run, hide, fight” protocols or adhere to the announcement to remain sheltered. This inconsistency shows the need for clear, specific guidelines about what to do during lockdown situations.
Perhaps most concerning is that people don’t know the difference between a drill and a real lockdown. This emergency happened around 1:40 p.m., which is the same time as every drill we have. The casual attitude displayed by both students and faculty falls dangerously short of the vigilance required to protect ourselves from a serious threat. While it generally felt safe and we were fortunate that this particular incident didn’t directly threaten our campus, part of this perceived sense of security stemmed from complacency — people didn’t take the lockdown seriously enough.
Moving forward, we must reinforce the importance of these safety measures. Something as simple as a thorough post-incident review examining what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve future responses would be an essential first step in fostering a more security-conscious campus culture.