‘Kids With Guns Protocol’ highlighted after Indio HS incident

Indio High School Senior Sabrina Carmona said things were pretty calm Thursday just before she headed to lunch.

“To be honest, I didn’t really know right away,” she said. “We had an announcement, and they said that the school’s on lockdown, and to just remain in the classes.”

Indio Police and Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) security officials received a report of a student bringing a gun to campus. No gun was found, but two students were arrested.

We know now why they were arrested.

According to Sgt. Dan Marshall, one was arrested for having ammunition on campus, the other was arrested for obstruction of justice.

While no gun was found, security officials said after school shootings across the country, communication and training played a role in helping Thursday.

“The school resource officer was able to coordinate with school officials, and school security,” DSUSD Director of Security Edward Nacua said. “To isolate the problem, in the middle of the school day, was really important.”

Officials said there’s also what’s known as the Kids with Guns protocol. It’s a county-wide guide for both law enforcement officers and school officials to help both prevent and respond to any possible violent situations, involving students with weapons on campuses.

“The school and the law enforcement get the parents involved,” Indio Police Sgt. Dan Marshall said. “The parents are notified. Probation may do a search of the juvenile to see if they are on probation. It may include going to the home to do a search of the home to see if this child does or does not have access to any weapons.”

Which is why officials and students said the protocol, along with constant communication, are tools to prevent any similar situation from taking place.

“When it happens, it’s a fast-evolving situation,” Marshall said. “So, we don’t need to go back to the drawing board, and figure out what we’re going to do.”

Parents we spoke with said they were concerned about the amount of time it took for the alert about the lockdown to be sent out.

Nacua said they send alerts to parents out as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Marshall said other agencies that are a part of the protocol include child protective services, mental health, and probation.

Nacua said a website, PSSTWorld.com, allows anyone around the country to submit anonymous tips regarding suspicious activity at schools.