Soft Lockdown Implemented at Local School Due to Community Situation

Washington Co., Mo. (KFMO) - On Wednesday, a "soft lockdown" was implemented at a local school around 12:20 p.m. as a safety precaution. According to a message from Superintendent Dr. Mike Golden of the Kingston K-14 School District, the lockdown was initiated due to information from the Washington County Sheriff's Department about a person in the area experiencing a mental health crisis and making threats to harm themselves.

What is a Soft Lockdown?
A soft lockdown is a safety protocol that secures the school building while allowing classroom instruction to continue. During this procedure, students and staff must remain inside, and movement between buildings is restricted. Visitors to the building are also strictly limited.

Reason for the Lockdown
The Sheriff's Department informed the school that an individual in the community was dealing with a mental health issue, had made self-harm threats, and could not be located. There was a possibility that the person was driving in the area, prompting the precautionary measures.

Resolution
The situation was resolved without incident, and the soft lockdown was lifted at 1:40 PM. Dr. Golden reassured families that at no time were there any threats against the school, and students and staff were never in immediate danger.

Next Steps
Afternoon dismissal continued as usual, and the school will review its safety procedures to ensure any areas for improvement are addressed. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the school office at 573-438-4982 with any questions or concerns.

Dr. Golden emphasized that the safety and well-being of students and staff remain the school’s top priority.