UPDATE: 1pm ET — The School District now says that while the officer was “on campus as early as 6:45,” the Principal was “meeting with the officer about the incident” during the time the campus was wide open and cars were coming and going this morning. We have asked what security oversight was given to the school while the officer was not at his post during a “code yellow” situation. We have also asked who was outside looking for the white pickup if the school district police officer was inside having a meeting. We’ll update if we hear back…
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Parents of Whispering Pines Elementary School students this hour (noon) are receiving robocalls from principal Barbara Riemer reporting that the school is at Code Yellow after a suspicious white pickup truck was seen at the school Wednesday evening.
Despite the report, the school police officer assigned to Whispering Pines was NOT at the school during drop-off hours this morning — between 7:20 and 8 a.m. — forcing office staffers to self-patrol the main parking area which is traditionally monitored by police.
It is unclear how the school could be made aware of a security issue on Wednesday evening, yet not have enhanced security Thursday morning.
School District Spokeswoman Julie Houston Trieste told BocaNewsNow.com that school police administration said the officer was on campus — however, independent eyewitness observations by BocaNewsNow.com, during that time frame, refute that assertion.
The robocall transcript is as follows:
“Last evening, a white Ford pick-up truck was parked outside of our school and seemed suspicious. A parent reported the incident to authorities. Our School Police is currently investigating this as a suspicious incident. I am letting you know that as we look further into this incident, our campus will stay in a Code Yellow out of an abundance of caution until we receive confidence from School Police that there is no reason for concern.
Parents, I am asking that you encourage your children to always practice safety when walking or biking to and from school, or while waiting at the bus stop. When possible, students should walk or wait in pairs or groups. They should always be alert, never talk to strangers and report any suspicious activities to school staff and/or police.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of the administrative team with any additional questions.
LOCAL JOURNALISM SUPPORTER.
