Willamette High School in Lock-Down for Student Safety in Eugene, Oregon

Nerves run high in Eugene, Oregon at Willamette High School as the school was placed in lock down this afternoon after someone set off a firecracker in one of the locker bays.

Eugene and Springfield Oregon are small cities close enough to each other to be considered one large city. At one time there was speculation of combining the two and calling it the Emerald City.

Eugene, Oregon is nestled in the Willamette Valley, and being next door to Springfield, Oregon many people in both cities were affected by the Thurston High School shootings several years ago. Each of the school districts in the area are extremely cautious when any type of threat is perceived in or near a school.

This afternoon is no exception, coming on the heels of the Virginia Tech shootings everyone is tense and hi-jinks by high school students is not appreciated. Apparently, late morning or early afternoon someone lit a firecracker in one of the locker bays. This was announced to students over the intercom as students were placed in lockdown.

My high school student sent me a text message to let me know, and that everything was okay, and that police and police dogs were on site to inspect every locker, including purses and bags in each locker.

I do have concerns that the student responsible has his or her bag, backpack or purse with them and is sitting in a classroom well away from where the locker bays are being searched.

As a parent of a student at Willamette I am concerned, but I am confident that the school and police will ensure the safety of students.

Currently it is 1:25 pm in Eugene, and Willamette High School is still in lock-down.