Lockdown ends at Portage Central High

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) - A caller referencing a bomb and a weapon at Portage Central High School forced police to lock down the building Thursday morning, officials told 24 Hour News 8.

The call came in around 11 a.m. to the school's main office, according to a school statement.

"In order to take every precaution for the safety of our students, staff and volunteers in the building, Principal Eric Alburtus enacted the emergency protocol and the school went into lockdown. Police responded immediately and the campus remained in lockdown, with no one leaving or entering the school, while a search was conducted. Using two canine units, law enforcement officers completed securing our entire high school campus and issued an all clear that the environment was safe for school to resume at 12:45 p.m. A revised lunch schedule was then put into place and afternoon classes proceeded."

School officials say they will work with police as they continue to investigate. "Such behavior is categorized as a felony and will result in permanent expulsion from Portage Public Schools, in addition to legal action," according to the statement.

"The swift response of our principals, teachers, and support staff to this potential emergency was exemplary! I appreciated everyone’s efforts to maintain a reassuring atmosphere for the students under our care. While students want to have us acknowledge such potential threats, they also look to us for stability and reassurance. We also commend our police liaison officer Eric Kline, the Portage Police & Fire Department teams, the Michigan State Police and Kalamazoo Public Safety officials who all responded promptly to the call for assistance. They were exceptional in their professional response to this incident, keeping the safety & security of our students foremost in their thoughts and actions. Everyone worked closely as a team, making us proud!"