Published in the october 28, 2015 edition
SAUGUS — Saugus Police Chief Domenic DiMella and Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith reported yesterday that police responded to what was initially believed to be an incident where a student was on a school bus with a knife. After an investigation, police determined that the student had a piece of martial arts training equipment that is not dangerous and not considered a weapon. Police do not believe there was ever any danger to the schools or community.
Saugus Police responded to a bus stop around 7 a.m. on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Central Street after a caller reported witnessing a male student displaying what appeared to be a knife.
Out of an abundance of caution, Saugus High School was placed on lockdown as police investigated the report. The lockdown was lifted shortly thereafter, around 8:30 a.m., once officials determined there was no threat.
Police located and spoke to the young man, who is a student at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School, and was seen with a piece of martial arts training equipment with no blade that is not dangerous. The student did not make any threats and no criminal charges were filed.
“We appreciate the diligence of the community in reporting this,” Chief DiMella said. “Thankfully, it does not appear as if there was ever any danger to residents or students. We are glad to see our emergency practices work effectively and that there was minimal disruption to the schools.”
