Goldendale Sentinel Editorial

Schools and law enforcement acted to avoid problem

A column by Rachel Cavanaugh

     In the early afternoon last Friday, Goldendale High School students were in their classrooms when a voice came in over the intercom announcing a hard lockdown: a gun had been spotted on campus.
     Windows and doors were locked immediately and authorities began scouring the grounds, in search of the weapon.
     Authorities found the gun and its carrier and, within hours, had taken two people in for questioning. Although it turned out not to be an authentic firearm, officials were nevertheless concerned.
     Now, while acknowledging the majority of kids who carry guns do so mostly to show off and never plan on using them, let’s take a moment regardless to collectively be thankful nothing serious happened.
     It could have.
     This was not a real gun, but some form of tragedy could still have ensued. As Police Chief Rick Johnston pointed out, there was a “possible serious outcome” the students were likely unaware of.
These possibilities are true any time a student, teenager, or adult has a weapon in public and their intentions are not known.
     At the very least, it could have led to fights or other types of problems.
Let’s be thankful all of that was avoided and give a nod to our administrators and law enforcement for their precision in reacting.
     In a time when school shootings grow more commonplace each year - and when administrations are often slow to respond to change - we should feel proud to live in a town where matters like this are taken seriously.
     According to all reports, the superintendent was on the phone to all three schools and police were on the scene within minutes - nobody missed a beat.
     Nobody said, “Should we take this seriously?” They simply acted.
Let’s let the incident also be a gentle reminder we all need to take part in teaching our kids about guns and gun safety.
     We must explain, in no mistakable terms, when guns are appropriate and when they are not.
The first part, of course, will differ from parent to parent. However, the latter should be clear across the board: a gun in school is never okay.
     Thanks, administrators and law enforcement, for reminding us of that this week.