Commack schools briefly locked down

Commack schools briefly locked down
By Wil Cruz
Newsday Staff Writer

October 19, 2006, 3:58 PM EDT


Three Commack schools went into full or partial lockdown at noon today when Suffolk police started canvassing surrounding areas in search of man who may have been armed, authorities said.

James Feltman, superintendent of the Commack Schools, said the district received a call from police notifying them about the search around Florida Avenue. After the call, the district ordered Woodpark Primary School and Mandracchia/Sawmill Intermediate School to shut down.

"We got a call from the police department that there was a man with a weapon in the area," Feltman said. "Out of an abundance of caution, we went into a lockdown."

That means Woodpark's 500 or so students and Mandracchia/Sawmill's 850 students were kept inside the buildings and the doors were locked. At the front entrances of the school, visitors would be required to show a piece of identification to enter.

The Commack Middle School went into a partial lockdown -- that is, the doors weren't locked, but the same security measures applied.

Suffolk police said the man in question is in custody. The information was sketchy, but they said the drama may have stemmed from a domestic dispute between the suspect and his mother.

Preliminary information also suggests that police believe the man may have armed because somebody saw him reach into a closet and grab an item.

Feltman, meanwhile, said the emergency -- which he said they go over regularly -- went smoothly.

"We've practiced the lockdown drill," Feltman said. "Because we practiced them, people seemed to know what to do. It went extremely well."

The whole episode lasted about two hours. Administrators called parents and told them they could pick up their children at the end of the school day. After-school programs were not canceled.

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Lovely

That is too close for comfort

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

I am glad that it was not that bad. With all the bomb threats from a couple of weeks ago, the schools seemed to be very cautious which is good.

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

so they really don't even know if the man was armed?

this could all be a fight between family members?

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Wow, my parent's house is across the street from Wood Park.

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Too close to home.

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

i am

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

OMG i didnt hear this. Thats my district!!!! Im in the middle school.
Nice how they let us in on these things

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

Too close to home.

I also have a lot of woods in my backyard, perfect for such a creep to hide out in

Re: Commack schools briefly locked down

wow, just goes to show you these things can happen anywhere