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Police presence at Gibbon Public Schools on Friday following lockdown

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 11:13 GMT by WOWT.com
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Police Presence at Gibbon Public Schools Friday After Lockdown Incident

Omaha, Neb. – On Friday, September 14, police officers were stationed outside and inside Gibbon Public Schools for a short‑term security presence following a school‑wide lockdown that began earlier in the day. The lockdown was triggered when a student was discovered carrying a weapon, prompting the school to activate its emergency protocol and alert local law enforcement.

The Incident

At approximately 11:15 a.m., school security officers noticed a 12‑year‑old student walking with a pocketknife that was not a standard school supply. The student was immediately escorted to the school’s security office and locked in the safety room while officers from the Omaha Police Department (OPD) conducted a search of the surrounding area. School officials confirmed that the student was not involved in any violent altercation; the knife was a personal item the student had brought to school against policy.

“During the search, the student was unarmed and cooperative,” said Gibbon School District 7’s assistant superintendent for student services, Lindsay Morales, in a statement released on the district’s website. “We were able to identify the student and bring the situation under control without any escalation.”

The district’s security team was trained for this type of scenario, and they immediately triggered the district’s lockdown plan. All classrooms and school buses were ordered to stay inside. The school’s emergency notification system sent out alerts to parents and caregivers. The lockdown lasted roughly 45 minutes, until officers confirmed that the situation was safe and that no weapon was recovered from any other source.

Police Response

The OPD’s Office of Public Safety released a statement on their website detailing their response. Officer Mark Ramirez—who was dispatched to the scene—was part of a response unit that arrived within two minutes of the lockdown order. “We work closely with Gibbon schools to ensure a swift response to any potential threat,” Ramirez said. “In this instance, the primary goal was to secure the area and conduct a thorough search for any additional weapons or safety concerns.”

Police presence at the school continued until the next school day. A detachment of two officers was posted at the main entrance to reassure parents and students and to monitor any potential intruders. According to the OPD’s internal policy, such a presence is standard procedure for schools that have experienced a recent incident involving a weapon.

School Safety Protocols

The incident has brought renewed attention to the Gibbon school district’s safety protocols. The district’s comprehensive security plan, available on its official site, includes:

• Training for staff and students on how to react during lockdowns and emergency situations.
• Regular drills with school resource officers (SROs) and law enforcement partners.
• Clear communication channels for parents, students, and staff via the district’s SMS alerts and the MySchool app.
• Access control measures, including locked doors and monitored entry points.

Assistant Superintendent Morales emphasized that the district is committed to continuous improvement. “We are reviewing this event to see how we can better prepare for future incidents. Our priority is always student safety.”

Community Reactions

Parents and students expressed mixed feelings about the police presence. While many appreciate the increased safety measures, others voiced concerns about the potential for over‑policing in schools. A parent, Angela Davis, who chose not to disclose her child’s name, said, “It’s reassuring to see officers here, but I hope we can also talk about the root causes—like bullying or mental health support—that might lead to such situations.”

School board member Jeffrey Harris echoed this sentiment. “We are grateful for the OPD’s quick response,” Harris said. “At the same time, we need to examine our own policies and provide resources to address underlying issues. The police presence is only one part of a broader safety strategy.”

The district’s student council held a town‑hall meeting on Friday evening to discuss the incident with school officials and law enforcement representatives. Students voiced their support for clear safety protocols but also called for increased counseling services and peer‑support programs.

Legal Context

The incident has also highlighted Nebraska’s state laws concerning school safety. Under Nebraska Revised Statutes § 1‑1325, schools are required to have a “comprehensive emergency management plan” that includes procedures for lockdowns. The OPD’s policy aligns with the state’s requirement that law enforcement be notified within 15 minutes of any incident involving a weapon on school grounds.

The district’s website links to the Nebraska Department of Education’s “School Safety and Security” guidelines, which outline best practices for schools. Those guidelines recommend collaboration between schools, local police, and community stakeholders to create a “safe learning environment.”

Looking Ahead

The Gibbon Public Schools are scheduled to review the lockdown incident with the help of the OPD’s incident response team. According to the district’s spokesperson, “We’ll hold a joint debriefing with police and school staff, analyze what worked well, and identify areas where we can strengthen our procedures.”

The OPD has also announced a community outreach program aimed at building stronger relationships between law enforcement and school communities. Officer Ramirez will conduct a workshop for teachers and parents next month on how to recognize and address potential security threats early.

In summary, the police presence at Gibbon Public Schools after the Friday lockdown reflects the district’s and the city’s commitment to maintaining a safe educational environment. While the immediate threat was neutralized, the event has sparked broader conversations about school security, community involvement, and the roles of law enforcement and education professionals in safeguarding students. The district’s ongoing review and the OPD’s community outreach initiatives are expected to shape the next steps in Gibbon’s pursuit of a secure, supportive learning atmosphere.