District 93 locked down after IHOP robbery

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Story Published: Jan 25, 2010 at 10:25 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2010 at 10:50 PM MDT

By Emily Florez

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AMMON - The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office contacted District 93 immediately after the robbery and requested they go into lockdown. With a gunman on the loose, the schools did not want to take any chances.

Guy Bliesner, Health and Safety Coordinator for District 93, said, "As soon as we instituted the lockdown every kid with a cell phone was calling their parents and they all knew about it and they wanted to know what was going on."

With combined efforts, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and District 93 decided to lockdown six surrounding schools. A perimeter lockdown means doors are locked and no one goes in or out.

Bliesner explains, "A lockdown brings the children inside who may be vulnerable out on the playground, or walking around, or even walking to your car at the High schools. They are vulnerable. The robber left IHOP with a weapon and the IHOP is only about four blocks from a high school and about six blocks from elementaries."

Thousands of parents were sent either a voice message explaining the situation or a text message. The messages ensured that parents knew what was happening and why their child was being secured inside the schools.

After more than an hour of closed schools and many calls from parents, the lockdown was released and an updated message was sent out.

If or when this type of situation happens again, the district offers some suggestions. Bliesner explains, "Be a little patient, it's going to take some time to notify everyone. We may have to send the texts out in a couple of texts because of the length. So give us five or six minutes which is about all it takes. And be absolutely aware that our absolute first priority is your child's safety."

Police are still looking for the suspect, if you have any information, call the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office at 529-1200. If you want to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 522-1983.

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