Lockdown Lifted At Mount Prospect School After Report Of Suspicious Person
Updated 12/10/15 - 12:52 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An elementary school in northwest suburban Mount Prospect was locked down Thursday morning, after reports of a "suspicious individual" nearby.
"At approximately 8:26 this morning, as students were arriving at Lions Park Elementary School, officers received a report of a suspicious person who may or may not have had a weapon in their possession," Mount Prospect Police Chief Tim Janowick said in a video posted on the department's YouTube channel.
The school was immediately placed on hard lockdown, and police conducted a thorough search of the area, but were unable to locate the individual who prompted the lockdown. Janowick said there were conflicting reports about whether the person had a weapon.
Around 10 a.m., the school shifted from a hard lockdown to a soft lockdown, officials said. The lockdown was lifted entirely around 11 a.m. While the school was on soft lockdown, children were not be allowed to leave the school, but were able to move to and from class as normal.
"The police believe there is no threat to the school at this time. We are resuming all normal daily activities," Mount Prospect School District 57 Supt. Elaine Aumiller said in an email to parents.
Janowick said police were taking extra precautions at Lions Park.
"Throughout the rest of the day, there will be an officer present in the school, and there will be a police presence in the area as children are dismissed at the end of the day," he said.
