An approximately 45-minute lockdown on the Pierce College campus was lifted on Tuesday, July 23, at 11:16 a.m. The lockdown was issued as a safety measure due to a reported threat at the nearby West Valley Occupational Center, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This threat was later deemed not to be credible.
The lockdown, which began shortly before 10:30 a.m., was in response to “a statement made telephonically by an unknown person that raised concerns about the safety of the [West Valley Occupational Center] campus,” according to the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD).
A spokesperson for LASPD said that “after a thorough investigation, LASPD determined there was no evidence of a credible threat.”
All students and staff at both West Valley Occupational Center and Pierce are confirmed safe and the campuses have resumed typical operations.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, Pierce went into lockdown as a precaution due to West Valley Occupation Center’s close proximity, across the street along Winnetka Avenue. This measure was taken in part to ensure the safety of the many children participating in summer camp activities on Pierce’s campus on July 23 and throughout the summer.