Lockdown: TPS Won't Take Risks When It Comes To Safety

There were some scary moments Wednesday afternoon when three Collinsville schools went under lockdown as police searched for a thief.

Officers said he led them on a chase and bailed from his car near the schools.

The district eventually sounded the all-clear, but we're hearing the term ‘lockdown’ more often, especially in the Tulsa Public School district.

Since the beginning of November, TPS said there have been eight full lockdowns in city schools, but there are other levels of lockdowns not included in those eight.

The district said the bottom line is keeping the students safe, no matter what.

As gunfire rained down, Tulsa police shut down a neighborhood near 27th and Garnett as schools were letting out – five were placed on lockdown.

11/9/2015 Related Story: TPD: Shooting Sends One To Hospital; Forces Lockdown Of Nearby Schools

TPS Police Chief Robert Swain said it’s easy to order a lockdown and then lift it, rather than taking a risk.

"We are always going to err to the side of caution," he said. “Our first instinct is to protect kids.”

One day after the shooting, several more schools were locked down for another shooting. Then, on Tuesday, a modified lockdown went out at Disney Elementary and five other schools due to a burglary suspect in the area.

TPS said the modified version is when students continue classes as normal but aren't allowed outside.

Swain said Tulsa Police usually make the call.

“Tulsa P.D. has been very active, and so there is a vested interest on their part to communicate with us, and us with them,” he said.

When asked about notifying parents, Swain said not to expect that right away because it usually causes more chaos than anything else.

“And so we are getting info all of the time,” he said. “And we cannot stop what we’re doing to notify parents, unfortunately.”

But that doesn't sit well with parents Shirline Ramirez, who went through it last week.

She said, "The parents weren’t even notified. Parents were hanging outside of school, not knowing what was going on, and just wanted to keep the kids safe."

“We will get the message to you as quickly as possible that everything is OK and no need to concern yourself,” Swain said.

TPS usually alerts parents via text message, phone call or letter.

You can find their emergency protocol here.