Contact:
Teresa Hamilton Hall
Roanoke County Public Information Director
Office: (540) 772-2010
Public Safety Agencies to Hold Safety Drills & Assessments
Events scheduled while Roanoke County schools are out for spring break
WHAT:
This week, the public may notice a strong public safety presence at various Roanoke County schools. There is no reason for anyone to be alarmed. Schools are out this week for spring break and the area’s public safety agencies are taking the opportunity to conduct safety and security assessments at each of the county’s schools.
The agencies and organizations participating include the Roanoke County Police and Fire and Rescue departments, Roanoke County schools, Vinton Police, and the Virginia State Police. Each school will go through a detailed assessment in order to locate any concerns that relate to the safety or security of the physical property, as well as the persons who may be present during the time the schools are open. At the conclusion of the assessments, a summary of the findings will be provided to school administration.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be a training exercise at Northside High School that will center on a law enforcement response to active shooters. The Roanoke County Police Department wants to make citizens aware that this is only a training drill and request they do not come to the area of Northside High School. Citizens are not allowed to view or participate in the drills.
The assessments and training are being conducted this week as schools are out for spring break. This affords an opportunity to use the schools for longer periods of time without disrupting regular instructional periods.
WHEN:
Assessments will be conducted April 1 thru 5, 2013 with specific training events on Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3.
WHERE:
Assessments will be conducted at all Roanoke County Schools. The training and drills will take place at Northside High School.
MEDIA NOTES: There will be only one opportunity with Roanoke County police for media interviews and video pertaining to the training drills scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you’re interested in talking to someone and getting video related to the drill, you’ll need to be in the parking lot at the old Roanoke County Public Safety Center at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. (It’s important you arrive early/on time, don’t be late.)
The old Roanoke County Public Safety Center is near Northside. It’s a brick building (used to be South View Elementary school) located at the intersection of Peters Creek Road and Northside High School Road, next to the local office of the State Medical Examiner. For questions or more information, please contact Lt. Steve Turner with the Roanoke County Police Department at 540-777- 8650.