Closing of road goes smoothly on 1st day
BUTLER TWP — The initial closure of Campus Lane on Monday went smoothly for both Butler School District and township police.
Superintendent Brian White said Monday that Campus Lane was closed for the first time from 7:36 a.m. until dismissal between New Castle and Fairground Hill roads.
The closure of the road, which is owned by the school district, is meant to enhance security at the high school by preventing motorists from using the road as a shortcut between New Castle Road and Hansen Avenue or Whitestown Road.
A school police officer was stationed at both intersections to block motorists from using the road for a shortcut.
Those with official school business were admitted to the campus after talking to the officers stationed at the intersections.
White said there were no traffic issues as a result of the move.
Officers had to turn a few cars away, and the motorists who turned around did so without argument, White said.
“We thank the community, parents and employees for being flexible,” he said.
The program will continue indefinitely and minor tweaks might be made after a few weeks.
“We're taking it one step at a time and we'll see if it's working for us or not,” White said.
The decision to close the road is the result of the recent school shooting in Florida and the arrest of a 2008 Butler High School graduate who threatened on social media to “shoot up” one of the district schools.
Police in Bryan Flecken's home of South Fayette, Allegheny County, accompanied FBI agents in arresting Flecken Friday at his apartment.
He was found to have no weapons, but was charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats and jailed on $250,000 bail.
“I think any level of security we can add right now are the measures we need to take,” White said.
He said he has received several emails Monday containing positive comments on the decision to close Campus Lane during the school day.Lt. Matthew Pearson of the Butler Township Police said there were no backups or problems on New Castle Road, Whitestown Road or Hansen Avenue as a result of the Campus Lane closure.“It's day one, but I haven't had any issues I know of as yet,” he said.He said police did not confer with school district officials on closing the road during the school day.“They're shutting down their private property, so they can do it,” Pearson said.White was happy with the measure Monday morning.“It was uneventful, really,” White said. “No problems.”
