Riverside High School, part of Durham Public Schools, has been placed under lockdown 14 times since July of last year, including three separate incidents last week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The repeated safety drills have sparked concern among students, parents and staff, leading the district to call a town‑hall meeting at the school’s media center on Thursday evening.
Anonymous tip line under investigation
The district operates two anonymous tip lines, a requirement under state law that coordinates with local law enforcement and social‑service agencies. Since the start of the previous school year, the lines have received 238 tips, 5.8% of which have resulted in lockdowns at Riverside. Most tips involve reports of self‑harm, suicide ideation or bullying, but a portion describe potential threats such as weapons or shooters on or near campus.
Durham Public Schools is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to trace the source of the tips. District executive director of safety and security Mclloyd Bynum said the tips appear to come from a consistent IP address that does not respond to follow‑up questions from a human operator. Subpoenas are being issued, and the district warned that the individual responsible could face up to twenty felony charges.
Community response at the town hall
Roughly 200 parents, students, teachers and school‑board members gathered in the media center. Several students held signs reading, “We came here to learn, not to lock down,” and voiced frustration that the frequent drills may desensitize everyone to real danger. Senior Joel Goldberg said, “No one takes the lockdowns seriously anymore, because it’s happening every single day… So I guess the concern is that if something really does happen, no one’s going to react.”
Another senior, Reyna Dastur, recounted hearing helicopters overhead while classmates laughed and watched Instagram reels, noting the odd mix of humor and anxiety that has taken hold.
Impact on students and families
Lockdowns can last up to 45 minutes and sometimes extend into the late afternoon, disrupting instructional time. Some students have begun leaving school early to work or care for siblings. Parents expressed the strain on family life, with one neighbor saying, “When the helicopters start circling, our house shakes. We wish there was a way to catch who’s repeatedly messing up our school days, causing so much stress.”
A staff member who is also a mother broke down in tears, saying, “My son is in this building for every lockdown, and I can’t get to him. You’re saying bear with us, but you’re not with us.”
District leadership’s plan
Superintendent Anthony Lewis emphasized the district’s commitment to resolve the situation quickly. “I hear you, and I feel the emotion there… I’m willing to do anything and everything I can to ensure that this stops,” he told the audience.
Principal Gloria Woods‑Weeks announced that Riverside will create a designated period each day for students to make up missed work and receive counseling. The district also plans to increase communication with families about safety protocols and the progress of the investigation.
Looking ahead
The town‑hall concluded with a handwritten letter from a sophomore circulated among attendees, describing the “terror and anxiety” of constant lockdowns and urging the administration to act. As the investigation continues, the community hopes for a swift resolution that restores a sense of normalcy to Riverside High School’s daily routine.
Original reporting: The 9th Street Journal (Durham) — read the source article.
