Scary Day in the Valley

Yesterday was quite a busy one in the Crescenta Valley – little did I know what would happen when I headed down to the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce office early Wednesday morning.

At the CVCOC office, the new president of the chamber – JD Speas of Crescenta Cañada Pets – oversaw his first meeting as president. And though the agenda was not that full, there was plenty that was talked about! The value of chamber membership, how to better serve our members and the importance of hosting monthly networking mixers were just some of the topics covered. As secretary, I was diligent in my note-taking and, hopefully, next month the minutes will reflect that.

After heading into the CV Weekly office, it was all about getting the newspaper out. On Wednesdays we’re under a tight deadline and focus on getting out the paper in a timely manner. Around 11:15 a.m., though, we started getting word that a shelter-in-place order was being instituted at the high school.

For next four hours, CV Weekly posted the news as it unfolded on our website and various social media sites. Mary O’Keefe was on-scene the entire time and provided constant updates as to what she saw and what she was told. I was also in contact with the captain of our local sheriff’s station, Robert Hahnlein. He kept me abreast of what was happening so I could share that trusted information with our followers. Dr. Vivian Ekchian, GUSD superintendent, also kept us up-to-date with what the district was doing and what it knew. We really appreciate the candor that met our questions.

Finally, around 2:15 p.m. – four hours after the incident started – sheriff’s deputies and K-9 units swept the school looking for the individual. He wasn’t found on the campus.

Most of the students reunited with their parents and guardians at the parking lot of Highlands Church at 4441 La Crescenta Ave. There were tables set up there and, before being released, students had to first go through a check-out process with their emergency contact information.

Though the incident ended benignly, many questions have yet to be answered: Who was this person? How did he get onto the campus? Was he a genuine threat? How long did it take for law enforcement to respond after it was notified? Were the students evacuated in the safest manner? Was information to parents clear, concise and accessible as to where they could find their student?

But in the end I know everyone was happy no one was hurt. To quote newly installed CV Town Council president Chris Kilpatrick, “We are glad that everyone was safe and the end result was positive.”