Lockout, lockout, lockout! When Brentwood students hear this warning, they know there’s a threat outside the school building.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, around 12 p.m., Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood Campus went into a lockdown due to the report of a possible threat from an armed person. Surrounding district schools such as Brentwood High School and the Freshman Campus instituted lockout procedures as a precaution for the safety and security of students and staff.
“I was in Chemistry class when it happened,” said Alexandra Banos, an 11th grader. “I didn’t really think much about it when it was happening.”
According to the article “Lockdown Lifted on Suffolk Community College Brentwood Campus,” author Maureen Mullarkey explains, “The Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood announced a report of possible weapon.” The SCCC went into a lockdown.
“I was very scared and nervous, also sick,” said Daisy Santos, an 11th grader.
“I felt normal. I thought nothing was happening,” said Jadelin Caceres, an 11th grader.
While the situation was ongoing, Brentwood High School instituted its own lockout procedures. The lockout at the high school lasted about an hour.
“I was scared because my mom had sent me the information that the school had sent through Parent Square,” Caceres said.
“I texted my brother very worried,” Santos said.
Many students were wondering what was happening because the lockout lasted longer than usual. Many parents were also worried as a result of a message sent by the district through Parent Square.
When the suspects were later identified and the SCCC realized there was no real threat, the lockdown at SCCC and the lockouts in neighboring schools were lifted. Mullarkey explains, “… the school wrote that two plain clothes law enforcement officers were on the Grant Campus and were later identified as the individual seen carrying weapons.”
Lockouts are one of many ways students and staff can be protected from an outside threat. From past occurring lockouts we can learn how we can improve our safety and analyze how we can rapidly deal with these situations.