Emerald Hills Elementary School locked down early this afternoon as Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a suspect in a theft case. Sheriff’s dispatch called ahead to let school administrators know they would be looking for a suspect in the area.
The arrest did not take place on school grounds, Sumner school district spokesperson Ann Cook said.
“It will happen once or twice a year, where one of our schools will get a call from law enforcement and they let us know they’re looking for a suspect in the area,” Cook said. “Lockdown is standard procedure to ensure safety.”
When a school goes into lockdown, all exterior doors are locked, window blinds are closed, rooms are darkened and students are asked to keep noise to a minimum. In middle schools and high schools, students will not go to their next period until the lockdown is ceased.
In a modified lockdown that takes place at the end of the school day, parents and guardians will not be able to pick up their kids on campus. A note is pasted on exterior doors notifying visitors of the lockdown status.
The sheriff’s office could not be reached for details about the arrest.