Two Ramona Schools in Brief Lock Down Thursday Due to Sheriff's Traffic Stop

Ramona High and Olive Peirce Middle schools on Thursday morning went into lockdown due to a traffic stop by Sheriff's deputies that ended up in a school parking lot.

The incident was unrelated to the schools, except that the suspect vehicle went into the upper student parking lot at the west end of Ramona High, principal Tony Newman told Patch.

"We got the directive from the Sheriff's substation, saying 'You need to go into lock down, now," Newman said. "Our classes were in session, so everyone was in class. We did a sweep of the school. Our security people grabbed anyone outside and got them quickly into the nearest classroom."

The lockdowns happened at about 11:20 a.m. and lasted for about 10 minutes at each school, according to a Sheriff's Department spokesman and the schools. Newman made the call to Olive Peirce Middle School to lock down, he said.

"A suspected felony stop was conducted on a sedan after a check of its license plate came back to another make/model vehicle," Det. Sgt. Brent Strahm told Patch by email. "The driver of the sedan saw the marked patrol unit turn his direction while driving westbound on Hanson Lane and made an immediate turn into the RHS parking lot, hoping he would not be stopped."

"Two occupants of the vehicle were detained until it was determined that the sedan was not a stolen vehicle, but instead had false plates on it and an expired registration," Strahm stated. "Neither occupant was armed. They were detained at the scene until the investigation was completed and then released. The driver was cited for a misdemeanour offense."

Another Sheriff's spokesman said deputies always have to consider in such circumstances that there might be weapons involved.

Newman told Patch about four Sheriff's patrol cars surrounded the suspect car.

At that point, law enforcement has to consider that if they have to pull a gun on a suspect they don't want a school in range.

"We have to keep the field of fire clear and keep the kids inside and out of harm's way," said Lt. Hank Turner, of Sheriff's Communications.

When schools go into lock down, gates and doors are locked and no one is allowed in or out. Curtains are closed in classrooms, Newman said.

He said after the order to lock down was lifted, school staff went out to talk to Sheriff's deputies.

"The two occupants of the vehicle were sitting in the patrol car and everything was under control," he said, "so we felt safe and went back to normal. All students and staff responded appropriately and we appreciate their quick response."

Olive Peirce principal Linda Solis told Patch by email, "Our kids were already in class, so the lock down was easy to secure."

Newman said a lockdown isn't always a directive, but this time it was.

Both schools have practiced for lock downs.

"But when it really happens, that's something different," Newman said.

"Everyone did a wonderful job," he said.