PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — Students at John Muir Elementary School and Santa Monica Alternative School House were put on lockdown for about half an hour Thursday as police searched for a parolee who was believed to be wanted, authorities said.
Cops set up a perimeter near the 2200 block of Sixth Street around 11 a.m. to search for the suspect, who officers believed was involved in a domestic violence incident.
Officers quickly learned that no crime had occurred and that the parolee was no longer wanted. The lockdown was lifted around 11:35 a.m., Santa Monica police said.
School officials were notified and regular school activities resumed, said Tristan Komlos, principal at John Muir, and Jessica Rishe, principal at SMASH, in an e-mail to parents.
"The lockdown procedure is implemented as a cautionary procedure when students and staff might be unsafe outside of the classrooms," the e-mail stated. "Specifically, all students and staff were directed to remain in their classrooms and the doors were locked. Students and staff are familiar with this procedure as we practice it each school year.
"The lockdown went very smoothly. Both principals checked in with each classroom teacher to monitor that all lockdown procedures were followed as well as reassuring students that they were safe. Again, at no time were students in danger."
kevinh@www.smdp.com
