Transformer pops cause Code Red schools

Two Patterson schools went on lockdown twice this morning as police investigated separate reports of gunshots in the vicinity.
Both times the reports were found to be transformers that backfired, police said.
The first lockdown lasted about an hour as officers went door-to-door during their investigation.
Chief Patrick LaSalle said they learned that a Cleco crew was working in the vicinity. Both reports were in the area of the cemetery near Patterson Junior High.
St. Mary Assistant Superintendent Keith Thibodeaux said both times Patterson Junior High was on code red, while Hattie Watts Elementary was on code yellow.
During a code red, students stay in classrooms quietly. Nothing goes on in the school. During a code yellow, students stay in the classrooms, but teachers continue with their lessons.
LaSalle said the schools were locked down between 9:10 a.m. and 9:59 a.m. and again between 10:40 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
“We appreciate the calls. Everybody’s child is safe. Everything we had in place worked out,” LaSalle said.