Norwalk Schools Briefly Placed Under Security Protocol Due To Loud Noises: District

NORWALK, CT — Several Norwalk schools were briefly placed under security protocols Friday morning as police investigated loud noises in the area that have now been attributed to nearby maintenance work, according to district officials.

Around 1 p.m., district officials said on Facebook a "hold protocol" at Norwalk High School and P-TECH Norwalk was closed after being initiated around 11:45 a.m.

Naramake Elementary School and Nathan Hale Middle School has also closed their "secure protocols" as of 1 p.m., both of which were also initiated around 11:45 a.m., according to district officials.

The secure protocol at Nathan Hale was already closed before 12:40 p.m. at the advisement of the Norwalk Police Department, district officials said.

Around 12:15 p.m., district officials said on Facebook the protocols were in response to "a police investigation of unidentified loud noises."

In an update around 12:40 p.m., district officials said police verified there was no threat at Norwalk High, P-TECH or the surrounding schools, however both schools remained under a hold protocol and Naramake remained under secure protocol as police concluded their investigation.

Around 1 p.m, district officials said police had determined the noises most likely came from maintenance work happening inside one of the buildings.

"Business in all the schools has returned to normal," district officials said around 1 p.m. on Facebook.

According to the district, "hold" and "secure" protocols are both standard response protocols, and the district conducts drills for both throughout the school year.

During a hold protocol, students and staff clear the hallways while business continues as usual inside offices and classrooms.

During a secure protocol, students and staff proceed with their normal day inside the building. Any students or staff outside the building are brought back into the school and all exterior doors are locked.

No one is allowed to enter or exit the school while a secure protocol is in place, according to district officials.