Mission PD prepares for school active shooter situations

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Mission Consolidated Independent School District welcomed students back into the classroom on Wednesday.

Local law enforcement took action to make sure they were prepared in case of an emergency.

The Mission Police Department held a meeting this week with several other agencies to see how they would respond to an active shooter situation.

The Mission Police Department is working to make sure they know what to do and how to communicate during an emergency situation.

Public Information Officer Arturo Flores says meetings like yesterday's were necessary to enhance preparedness and communication about local schools in their area.

“We want to be prepared for situations like this and make sure that our community understands that we're all together as unified together," Flores said. "Every agency around our community to make sure we're holding strong and making sure that they understand that we're working together as a team.”

He says the agencies shared protocols, policies, and procedures as to how they work. The main mission, however, is to protect students and staff.

Mothers like Khristi Valdez says she always worries when she gets lockdown alerts or sees threats on social media. She says she's always giving her daughter advice in case the unthinkable happens.

“I always make sure to let her know to get in an area where she is not going to be seen," Valdez said. "I also try to her to take it serious even when they do a drill and stuff because you never know with the world we are in.”

Martin Castaneda, who is the director of safety and security for Mission CISD, says the school district allowed Mission Police to use their campuses for drills during the summer. He also says school districts are ready to prosecute anyone who threatens campuses with violence.

“Any threats of school violence are always going to be taken serious by law enforcement and law enforcement will investigate those cases and prosecute any of those cases when there is enough evidence for probable cause to do so," Castaneda said.

Mission PD says they will continue to have meetings like this every three months and tomorrow they will announce ways on how the community can detect false alarms and threats online.