Technical glitch causes mistaken lockdown at Starpoint schools

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) -- School leaders at the Starpoint Central School District said there was a mistaken lockdown on Thursday morning due to a technical system error.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., the entire district went into a lockdown. Parents were notified, which caused some concern, but local officials say the entire incident was a false alarm.

According to Superintendent Sean Croft, the lockdown alert was triggered by a "technical system error." The primary, middle and high schools all went into lockdown as if there was an active shooter. Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said 12 members of law enforcement between the Sheriff's Office and New York State Police arrived on scene within minutes.

"We treat it as if it were a real alarm," Filicetti said. "So we follow protocols with the school after the alarm is determined to be false. We still went through the school. Every classroom has to be released. You can't just call and say, hey, release, open your doors, lockdown's done. You have to go, law enforcement and staff, to each room, release each room. You treat it as if it was real."

In a statement, Croft said that the school has identified the factors that led to the mistaken threat. He went on to say that the school is working with its technology department and administrative team to revise procedures so a situation like this does not happen again.

Croft said if your child is experiencing any anxiety or discomfort adjusting after the incident, there will be school counselors and psychologists available.