All-Clear Given At Davie Schools After Latest Broward Threat
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Panicked parents rushed to the Nova public schools campus in Davie late Monday morning after getting texted that there was a 'code red' and the schools were on lockdown.
Davie police say the code red was triggered when a threatening phone call came into the combined lobby of the high school and middle school.
"The caller stated there was going to be a shooting. 'When? Now,' he said and hung up," stated Davie police Sgt. Mark Leone.
A heavy police presence was established at Nova High and its surrounding schools.
That included Nova Middle and Nova Blanche Forman Elementary which were on Code Red as well. Davie Elementary and McFatter Technical College and High School were on a Code Yellow.
Just after noon Davie police tweeted out an update.
#Davie eastside (Nova) schools are on lockdown for precautionary reasons. There is no credible threat at this time. Police are still on scene checking the area.
— Davie Police Dept. (@DaviePolice) October 8, 2018
"I ran down here. Drove like a madman," said parent Gilbert Franklin, who was worried about his daughter. "My daughter texted me. She was scared."
When the code red was announced, Nova high school senior David Forbes said, "they told us to turn our phones off and keep our heads down in case anything happens"
"A girl had pepper spray. I grabbed a bar in case anything happened," said student Morgan Ellenberg
After Davie police searched the campus, the threat proved to be unfounded and classes resumed.
It was not the most promising start to a new school week in Broward after an unusually high number of students were arrested last week for making threats, posting violent images and even a nine year old taken into custody police say for bringing a loaded handgun to a Lauderhill elementary school.
"We as parents need to be responsible for what are kids are doing," said Nova parent Marielena Montanez, upset over all the false alarms.
"I'm relieved and it's scary, not a joke," added parent Shy Martinez.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi unveiled a new app on Monday called FortifyFL.
It's part of the legislation created after the Parkland shooting to give students and community members a place to anonymously report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
It even got a notice on Twitter from President Trump who called it a "big priority."
"I truly, truly believe that this will save lives," Bondi said.
Bondi's office said in a news release that the app will allow "students and the community to relay information anonymously concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities, or the threat of these activities, to appropriate public safety agencies and school officials."
In addition to FortfiyFL, the Broward Sheriff's Office recently unveiled an app as well. It's called Safer Watch and allows students, parents, teachers and staff to report bullying, threats and any type of suspicious activity directly to law enforcement.
Both apps are available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
