Report On Precautionary Lockdown At Pinehurst Elementary Monday, May 23

Pinehurst Elementary School went into a code red lockdown shortly before 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, in response to a suspicious package found in a storm drain at College Avenue and Evergreen Drive. The code red was handled quickly and professionally by staff, and students handled the precautionary safety measure well. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office bomb squad investigated the suspicious package and gave school officials the OK to move to code orange at 11:45 a.m., with students and staff allowed to move around within the school for lunch, midday dismissals and class changes. Only use of the area behind the school remained restricted, for the Fire Marshal's Office to check the grounds as a precaution. Normal operations resumed at 12:05 p.m. A note of explanation will go home with students today.