Langston Hughes doors locked after report of burglary; turns out it was false alarm

A reported residential burglary near Langston Hughes School caused school officials to enact extra security measures Tuesday morning, before police determined the burglary was a false alarm.

The front doors of the school were locked about 11:30 a.m., as were the doors of all the classrooms. However, children still attended classes, said Julie Boyle, communications director for Lawrence public schools.

Initial police reports indicate that a neighbor observed two men attempting to enter a home on the 800 block of Andrew John Drive. However, police determined there was no security risk in the area.

Recess and physical education classes were confined to indoors as a precaution. Kindergartners were also escorted to their parents’ waiting vehicles after half-day classes ended.

Boyle said the school was never in a complete lockdown. “In an actual lockdown, nobody would be coming or going,” she said.

The school’s doors were unlocked and normal activities resumed about 1:30 p.m.