Dora Moore ECE-8 School

Community Letter - Incident This Morning

02/15/24, 10:55 AM

Feb. 15, 2024

 

Dear Dora Moore Families:

 

It is our priority to keep you informed of incidents related to our school and school community. This morning at about 8:50 a.m., a person from the community with no ties to our school was walking by the playground on Downing Street. This individual exhibited behaviors that were creating an unsafe environment for our students, staff, and families. We immediately notified 911 and DPS Safety and Security and placed our building into a ‘secure perimeter’ and worked quickly to get all students off the playground and inside our building. 

 

A secure perimeter means the exterior doors of our school remain locked and bring students and staff inside the building. Business inside the building continues as normal, but we all must stay inside the building. The secured perimeter remains in place until the area outside of the building is determined safe by Denver Public Schools Department of Safety and Denver Police. 

 

The individual was shouting profanity and using vulgar words. Additionally, he was repeatedly making general threats of violence. There have been reports that this individual had a knife, but that detail has not been confirmed. DPD and DPS Safety responded immediately and made contact with the individual just north of our campus and took him into custody.

 

At about 9:10am, we were released from the ‘secure perimeter’ and we returned to normal operations.

 

This was a very frightening situation for many students. At no point did this individual come onto the playground. 

 

We would like to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our number one priority. I know that this situation can be upsetting for students and families. Our mental health supports are available to process with any community members needing additional support. 

 

Thank you for your patience today as we waited for the area to be cleared. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

 

In partnership, 

 

Abe Janson

Principal