ALPENA — Police and school officials say an Alpena High School student who was recently in the area of the high school and Thunder Bay Junior High School dressed in tactical-style clothing, a military style backpack, a faux bullet-proof vest, and armed forces type helmet was not a threat to the schools or other students.

The student was approached by police on Wednesday after motorists noticed his suspicious attire and called 911 out of caution as there were school open houses taking place nearby.

After police searched the student and found nothing dangerous, he was allowed into the high school to participate in the open house event.

Police and school officials would not release the name of the student.

Some parents of APS students now question the school system’s policy on attire and whether or not it is firm enough.

Alpena Police Chief Eric Hamp said an officer approached the student to question him and conduct a search. He said no weapons were found, or anything else law enforcement would deem illegal.

Hamp said the school district was contacted, as were the student’s parents and it was determined the boy was not a threat and allowed to join his classmates for the school event.

Tathia Lockhart, who saw the student and called 911, said she dropped her daughter off at Thunder Bay Junior High and after pulling away from the school she saw the student and his clothing and accessories raised a red flag in her mind.

She said she called the police, turned around her automobile, took a photo of him, and followed him until police arrived. Lockhart said she felt unease about the safety of the students and when she later learned the student was allowed in the school, she questioned the district’s attire policy, which she reviewed and believes is too vague and not detailed enough.

“It doesn’t go far enough and the policy needs to change. That clothing and tactical gear was threatening and intimidating,” she said. “I don’t want to send my daughter to school and pray she will be ok. I should think I sent her to the safest place there is and right now it isn’t.”

Lockhart said after she posted the photo of the student on social media, comments expressing concern began to fill her page. She said she also received many messages from people about it.

The most recent dress and grooming policy on the APS website says clothing that presents a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school is not allowed, nor is attire that interferes with school work, creates disorder, or disrupts the educational program. Clothing that prevents the student from achieving educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement is also against policy.

Lee Fitzpatrick, APS director of communications, said wearing camouflage apparel is not against school policy, but things like helmets or things that cover a person’s face are. When asked if the student was made to remove the helmet, vest, and backpack before being allowed into the high school, Fitzpatrick said the student was asked to remove the equipment.

Both Fitzpatrick and Hamp said the people who reported the students to police did the right thing and hope that will be the case if other unusual or suspicious activity is witnessed.

“He was not determined to be a threat, but we do want people to call, for sure, 100%,” Hamp said. “I am proud of the citizens that called. If you see something, call. But, in this instance this was not a threat.”

APS Board of Education Policy on Dress and Grooming

The Board of Education recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices interfere with the educational program of the schools.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall establish such grooming guidelines as are necessary to promote discipline, maintain order, secure the safety of students, and provide a healthy environment conducive to academic purposes. Such guidelines shall prohibit student dress or grooming practices which:

∫ present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school;

∫ interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program;

∫ cause excessive wear or damage to school property;

∫ prevent the student from achieving educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.

Source: APS Board of Education Policy Manual