RICE LAKE, Wis. (WJMC) — A panic alarm triggered at Northwood Technical College in Rice Lake Thursday afternoon, March 19, prompted a quick and massive response from local law enforcement agencies.
Rice Lake Police Chief Steve Roux said it appeared the alarm was triggered accidentally. There was no threat to the public.
An alert sent out to students just after 3:45 p.m. Thursday said there was an “active threat” on the campus and to take action to protect themselves. The school is currently on spring break and was relatively empty.
Officers from Rice Lake, Cameron, Barron County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies responded immediately and cleared the campus, finding no signs of a threat or emergency. The lockdown was lifted just before 5 p.m.
Chief Roux said they are looking into how the alarm was triggered and ways to prevent accidental alarms.
More information will be released later.