Radio Park Elementary Temporarily Placed on Lockdown After Unsubstantiated Report of Suspicious Person

Radio Park Elementary School was temporarily on lockdown Monday morning after police received a report of a “suspicious person… who possibly had a weapon” nearby, according to an email from State College Area School District interim Superintendent Curtis Johnson.

Ferguson Township police searched the area but found no such person and do not believe any danger was posed to the school.

A caller reported the person was walking at about 7:15 a.m. near the intersection of Blue Course Drive and Martin Street, police said in a statement. Officers responded to the area and notified Radio Park Elementary Principal Alex Raup as well as district administration because of the proximity to the school. Police also reported the information to surrounding schools and daycares “out of an abundance of caution.”

“Officers have thoroughly checked the area, surveillance cameras as well as any persons in the area at that time and have not been able to substantiate the suspicious person,” police said.

Johnson wrote that because Ferguson Township and State College police officers were present, it was determined that it was safe for students to enter the Radio Park building.

Radio Park remained on lockdown while police completed the investigation. Corl Street Elementary temporarily suspended outdoor activities but was not on lockdown. Both schools have since resumed normal operations, a district spokesperson said.

“We have no indication that this reported person was ever on school grounds, and we have no reason to believe that students were ever in danger,” Johnson wrote. “However, there will be an increased police presence in these areas throughout the day.”