TLDR:
- The Administrative Office of the Courts in Kentucky confirmed a technology mishap sent a false emergency alert to judicial facilities.
- The alert, caused by the VoIP telephone system, led to an evacuation at the Hardin County Justice Center.
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in Kentucky recently confirmed that a technology mishap sent a false emergency alert to judicial facilities in the state. The incident, which occurred just before 9:00 a.m EDT, was caused by the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone system. This led to an evacuation at the Hardin County Justice Center, prompting a quick response from law enforcement officers in Elizabethtown. Despite initial reports of an active shooter, it was later determined that there was no actual threat.
Officer Chris Denham from the Elizabethtown police department mentioned that officers responded to the scene within a minute of receiving the call and worked alongside court security deputies to search for the alleged shooter. Fortunately, ten minutes later, it was confirmed that there was no active shooter present. The AOC expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their swift actions in ensuring the safety of everyone at court facilities across the state during the incident. Moving forward, the AOC is working with their telecommunications provider to prevent similar false alarms in the future.
This event highlights the importance of effective communication technology in emergency situations and the need for proper protocols to handle false alerts. Despite the scare, the quick response from law enforcement helped to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in this incident.