Police: Stranded Motorist Prompts School Lockdown

A stranded motorist who "used bad judgement by knocking on car windows" Wednesday morning prompted a 20-minute lockdown at Simmons Elementary School, according to Horsham Police. 

The driver was in need of a ride and was making that request of fellow motorists in the area of Keith Valley Road, Horsham Police Lt. Jon Clark told Patch. 

As a result, police advised the school at about 8:50 a.m. this morning to go into an "exterior lockdown until the incident was both identified and addressed," according to a notification that Simmons Principal Karen Kanter sent to parents shortly before 10 a.m. 

During the lockdown, which lasted about 20 minutes, no one was allowed to enter or leave the building, Kanter wrote, adding that normal school routines continued and students were "not aware of the situation."

"Once the lockdown was lifted, our school day is proceeding as normal," Kanter wrote. "To the parents who were arriving with their children during the lockdown this morning, we appreciate your patience." 

Horsham Police Sgt. Larry Bozzomo said that even though the caller initially reported a suspicious person entering cars in the Simmons parking lot, the individual was "never on school property."