Auburn Career Center in Concord Township went into lockdown Wednesday morning after staff reported a threatening phone call, according to officials. Students and staff were told to shelter in place while the school resource officer and Lake County deputies moved through the building to secure the campus.
Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno told Cleveland 19 that the call came in at about 9:45 a.m. Deputies responded immediately to back up the on-site officer, and the sheriff's office later reported there was no active threat once the sweep was complete. Deputies were expected to remain at the school until the lockdown was formally lifted.
About the campus
Auburn Career Center is a regional career-technical campus that serves both high-school and adult learners from across Lake County and neighboring districts. According to the school's website, Auburn Career Center enrolls more than 2,000 students in dozens of vocational programs. The campus works with area districts on training and safety protocols so staff and students can respond quickly whenever a potential threat is reported.
Similar calls have triggered precautions statewide
Situations like this have become familiar across Ohio, where threats and hoax calls have led to precautionary lockdowns and schedule changes. In some cases those reports have come by phone, and in others through online gaming platforms.
For instance, WTVG reported that Lake Local Schools announced a late start after a threat surfaced on an online game. Last fall, Cleveland 19 covered a soft lockdown at Hoover High School in North Canton following a reported threat.
How families should respond
Authorities urge parents and guardians to stick with official updates from Auburn Career Center and Lake County law enforcement during a lockdown, and not to head to the building while the situation is unfolding since extra traffic can complicate emergency response.
Districts and safety experts also advise against calling or texting students while a lockdown is in progress, since phone alerts can draw attention to a student's location. Families are encouraged to wait for reunification instructions that come through school or law enforcement channels. For detailed guidance on what to expect during a lockdown, families can review reporting from KBTX and school emergency resources such as the Central Dauphin district's reunification guide.
