LAPD Officers Exhibit Visible Presence At Local Schools

Los Angeles – Today marks the second anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting incident. This event, coupled with recent school shootings in the San Diego area, has resulted in a heightened level of concern for students, parents and school officials. Consistent with our mission to reduce crime and the fear and incidence of crime, while enhancing public safety, Los Angeles Chief of Police Bernard Parks ordered all area commanding officers to review their area Standing Plans with specific focus on school response. Additionally, today, Chief Parks directed the activation of the Department’s Command Post and ordered hourly checks by patrol officers of all middle and high schools in the City of Los Angeles.
There have been some reported threats of violence, in one form or another, on some campuses. However, the visible presence and teamwork by Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles Unified School District officers, coupled with cooperation from school officials and students, have resulted in none of these threats becoming a reality.
As of 4:00 p.m., today, there were 14 reported incidents of threats. All incidents were either fully investigated or are currently under investigation by LAPD detectives. In one case a student was suspended.
Earlier today, Chief of Police Bernard Parks was the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual Safe Schools/Healthy Students Conference, held at the Wilshire Grand Hotel. This event was well attended by several hundred students and school officials, to address concerns regarding school safety concerns in our communities.
For further information regarding this press release, contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.
This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer-in- Charge, Media Relations Section.