RANGELY | Last Thursday Rangely parents took to Facebook to express concerns about an unusual level of police presence at the local schools. Later that day the Rangely Police Department (RPD) released the following statement on their Facebook page, “Early morning of March 8 the Rangely Police Department was contacted regarding a threat to a high school student which had been posted on social media. The Rangely Police Department mobilized off-duty officers to help with the response and investigation of the threat which resulted in the detention of a high school student for questioning and evaluation. There were no interruptions to the school’s schedule while officers were on campus and classes and activities began the day as normally scheduled. Due to the active investigation, details are being withheld at this time.”
School District Superintendent Matt Scoggins was pleased with the department’s quick response to the situation and stated that there was no direct threat to school by the time school began. Scoggins said that the police presence at the school was due to an “overabundance of caution,” and reiterated that student safety is a top priority for the district. “We were safe,” he said. The district is currently exploring safety protocol options and Scoggins said that right now is a great time to look at the potential of School Resource Officers.
Following the incident an automated school messenger phone call went out to parents informing them that their students were safe. Scoggins said he is considering ways to more effectively communicate with parents in these types of situations.
