SNOWFLAKE, Ariz. — An unannounced active shooter drill at Snowflake High School left many students and parents alarmed on Wednesday.
The drill, conducted by local law enforcement in collaboration with the school, was designed to resemble a real emergency. However, the decision to withhold advance notice triggered mixed reactions from the community, raising concerns about the distress it caused and the potential risks involved.
School District Superintendent Hollis Merrell explained that the active shooter drill involved a loud bell with an automated message alerting, “This is not a drill,” and announcing a lockdown. He clarified that this bell was distinct from the one used in traditional drills and intended to make the situation appear realistic.
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“It audibly says, ‘This is not a drill,’ but it doesn’t specify what might be happening. It simply announces a lockdown and states that police are enroute,” Merrell told 12News.
The exercise aimed to ensure students and staff adhered to proper safety protocols. Police Chief Robert Martin stated that a similar drill in October revealed a lack of seriousness among students during the exercise, prompting the school to make exercise more realistic. The Wednesday drill involved nine police officers monitoring the campus to ensure compliance with safety measures.
The unannounced nature of the drill drew a divided response. Some parents supported the realistic approach, arguing that it better prepared students for emergencies. Others were outraged by the fear and confusion it caused.
A mother shared an anonymous text from her daughter during the lockdown, reading, “We are at the high school for choir, and we might die. There is a shooter at the high school. I love you.”
Parents expressed concerns over potentially causing community panic and escalating the situation unnecessarily.
Are Active Shooter Drills Harmful or Helpful?
Research highlights the potential psychological risks of school active shooter drills. A 2021 study found that such drills increased anxiety, stress, and depression among students by 39-42%. The gun violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety has called for limits on these exercises, noting that less than 0.2% of gun deaths occur on school campuses.
Controversial active shooter drills have prompted some states to put limits on these exercises. California, for instance, has banned “high-intensity drills” in K-12 schools involving dramatics like simulated gunfire. Texas passed legislation in 2021 requiring active shooter drills to prioritize the mental health and well-being of students and teachers.
