Dec. 10--A Mount Prospect grade school resumed normal operations Thursday after going on lockdown because of reports that a suspicious person nearby might have had a weapon, police said.
The lockdown was imposed as students entered Lions Park Elementary School at 300 E. Council Trail, but police could not confirm whether there was a real threat. Officers will be present at dismissal time, police said.
Mount Prospect police Chief Tim Janowick issued a video statement on YouTube and linked from Twitter: "At approximately 8:26 this morning as students were arriving ... officers received a report of a suspicious person who may or may not have had a weapon in their possession. To ensure the safety of students as they were arriving, we ... brought the students into the school on a hard lockdown situation until we determined whether or not any threat existed.
"After a thorough search of the area, we've been unable to locate (the suspicious person)."
The man was described as Asian or Hispanic in his late 30s, about 5-foot-10 with a medium build and wearing a dark blue knit cap, dark jacket and dark pants.
"He was seen walking in front of the school in a suspicious manner, and there's conflicting reports from multiple witnesses as to whether or not a weapon was present," the chief said.
"We want to reassure the parents that everything is safe at the school. We're going to be resuming normal activities at the school. ... Throughout the rest of the day there will be an officer present at the school and there will be a police presence in the area as children are dismissed at the end of the day.
"Once again, we want to reassure the parents the children are safe. We have not been able to determine that an actual threat existed. Everything done today was a precautionary measure. And we'll provide more details as the Police Department continues to investigate."
Officials at Mount Prospect School District 57 tweeted around 11:30 a.m. that the school was released from lockdown and normal activities resumed.
rmccoppin@tribpub.com
