Ferndale and Hazel Park High Schools Locked Down Tuesday Due to Threats
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 15, 2022)
Ferndale, Hazel Park, MI – Students and staff in Ferndale and Hazel Park High Schools experienced lockdowns on Tuesday while police investigated unrelated threats. In Ferndale this was the second day in a row where threats interrupted classes, as school was cancelled Monday due to a social media threat. A 16-year-old female was arrested for that incident.
Tuesday’s incidents were unrelated. In both districts students were already at school when threats were discovered. In Hazel Park, threats were made over social media. In Ferndale a student left a note in a bathroom.
Below are statements related to each incident. First is from Ferndale Police. Second is from Hazel Park Superintendent Amy Kruppe:
FERNDALE
Ferndale, MI—The Ferndale Police Department made an arrest following an incident at Ferndale High School in which a threatening note was discovered in a student restroom. The discovery of the note led to precautionary lockdown at Ferndale High and Middle Schools. On November 15, 2022, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Ferndale Police Department responded to Ferndale High School after a threatening note was discovered in a student restroom. The Department, working with Ferndale School District administration, quickly began investigating. The Department was maintaining an increased presence in the school community today following a similar, but separate incident Sunday night in which a social media threat was discovered; Ferndale Middle and High School were both closed Monday as a precaution, reopening Tuesday. Ferndale police identified the author of the threatening note at 10:30 a.m. The suspect was subsequently arrested. The suspect has been identified as a 16-year-old male student who attends Ferndale High School. The suspect arrested in today’s event will be housed at Oakland County Children’s Village pending review from the Oakland County Prosecutors Office. As the suspect is a minor and the case remains an open investigation, no further information will be provided at this time. “Parents and families, we implore you to talk with your students about the seriousness of false threats,” said Ferndale Police Captain David Spellman. “Threats are crimes, whether the person intends on carrying out the threat or not. Any threat will be investigated fully and presented to the County Prosecutor. These kinds of incidents also cause undue stress and trauma on students and families and take officers away from real emergencies.”
HAZEL PARK
Dear Hazel Park Families,
I would like to address the rise in social media and verbal threats that have occurred recently because the safety of our students and staff will always be our number one priority.
During today’s “Secure” in place at our High School, our students, staff, and Hazel Park Police Department did an amazing job following our safety guidelines. Hazel Park Police responded in force to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff and stayed on sight until the situation was resolved. The event follows our district-wide Avert training from last week that illustrated stop the bleed, lockdown drills, and safety protocols in partnership with the Hazel Park and Ferndale Police Departments and City Officials.
With this in mind, please take time to speak to your children about making threats, verbally or on social media, drawing threatening pictures, or committing violent acts within the school or in the community. Hazel Park Schools will work with the police department to keep the school environment safe. Discipline could include, but not be limited to suspension up to expulsion and police charges. We must make our learning environment safe and enriching for all.
On Monday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard issued a statement with a warning aimed at students across the county. Bouchard said every threat will be investigated and sent to the prosecutor’s office, even if the student doesn’t intend to carry it out.
The importance of staff, family, and community collaborating together to provide a caring, healthy and safe environment is at the core of our beliefs. We have support staff available for students experiencing social-emotional needs. We ask that you reach out to your principal if you have any concerns regarding your children.
I will hold three parent meetings over Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, to discuss the increased occurrence of social media and verbal threats. Those times will be 9 to 10 am; 4 to 5 pm; 6 to 7 pm. Here is the link – ZOOM LINK – to the meetings.
I am adding again the National Association of School Psychologist materials talking about violence to your children. Our school social workers, counselors, and psychologists stand ready to support our families, please reach out to your student/student’s building principal.
Here are some other links that can help with discussions with your student/students regarding social media and handling coping with traumatic events.
→ Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
→ Managing Strong Emotional Reactions
Hazel Park Schools has implemented protocols and practices to support safety within our schools. Listed below are just some of the examples of safety protocols we currently have in place:
→ School Safety Resource Officer from Hazel Park Police Department
→ Emergency Operations Safety Plans
→ All doors are locked for entry
→ Parent ID check and sign in with the schools
→ Video surveillance inside and outside of all school buildings
→ Hall and door supervision in High School and Junior High
→ Ok2Say