When it comes to keeping kids safe, the Portage Police Department and township school staff do everything possible in making sure students return home as safely as they got there each day. When two males were reported walking near Portage’s Fegely Middle School who appeared to be carrying firearms, the community immediately jumped into action.
Last Wednesday, the nation grieved for the 17 students and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, whose lives were tragically taken by a gunman. Portage Police Chief Troy Williams said following the wake of this tragedy that impacted the nation, officers were on alert and patrolling the schools Thursday morning. However, other than the thick fog, it was a typical weekday morning - until calls started coming into the station. Multiple witnesses reported the suspicious activity around 7:30 a.m. of two white males appearing to be in their twenties, carrying what witnesses believed to be a handgun and a rifle or shotgun.
“There were parents waiting with their kids at the bus stop flagging our officers down near Fegely Middle School,” Williams said.
The reports instantly sparked rapid action from the police and the nearby schools. Fegely Middle School, George L. Myers Elementary School and Portage Christian School were put on lockout, where all personnel were alerted and security was put into place to assure no potential threat entered any of the buildings.
Williams assigned 10 to 11 officers per school to secure the buildings, totaling to about 30 officers on their feet, protecting each location. With all hands on deck, the two males were found and apprehended. Upon investigation, Williams and his officers found that they were each carrying an Air Soft gun, which both looked identical to real firearms. The Portage Police Department reported that after investigation, the males appeared to have no ill intentions, and were walking to the woods to shoot targets. The Air Soft guns were confiscated and one male, age 19, was arrested for False Informing. Williams said that while it is not illegal to carry an Air Soft gun, it is against city ordinance to discharge an Air Soft gun.
“It was definitely poor judgement, considering the circumstances of our country, to cause alarm,” Williams said.
Following the incident, Ms. Detterline and her 4th grade class at Aylesworth Elementary School sent “Thank You” cards to the officers for keeping them safe.
Williams has personal ties to Portage’s schools; his wife works as a teacher at Portage High School, where Williams also served as a school resource officer from 2006 to 2011, before he was promoted as police chief.
“We work seamlessly together,” Williams said of his police departments and the schools. “They have safety protocols put into place, and we offer assistance at every turn, even if it’s just having an officer sit in the parking lot. We have a great community to work with, and we want parents to feel at ease knowing we are on it.”
In the wake of gun violence continuing in schools throughout the nation, Williams said building on a partnership is crucial. Williams and the department will be hosting workshops for teachers on classroom survival and active assailant situations on March 13th, March 20th, April 10th and April 17th. Williams said the two-hour classes will take place 6 p.m. at the Portage Police Department, and more classes will be offered if seating fills up. The Portage Police Department School Safety Specialists, Defensive Tactics Instructors, SWAT Team members and Williams will be leading the sessions. Those interested in attending should contact Debbie Bolin at 764-5713 or email dbolin@portage-in.com to get registered.
“This will be a real-world training workshop that every teacher should attend,” Williams said.
Look for more details on the Portage Police Department’s homepage: http://www.ci.portage.in.us/department/index.php?structureid=8 and be sure to follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PortagePolice/.