5 teens arrested in pranks that spark lockdown

End-of-the-year pranks went wrong at a Woodbury high school Thursday, resulting in police being called twice and a lockdown.
Police first arrived at Monroe-Woodbury High School after receiving a call that the school?s resource officer had gotten hurt. Superintendent Joseph DiLorenzo said the officer slipped and fell while trying to break up a water balloon fight.
Some students at the school said the prank was planned in advance. ?We got text messages in the middle of class today,? senior Meghan Furman said. The text read, ?Water balloon fight at 710 today. B-floor. Spread the word.?
Later in the day, a second prank took place ? a food fight. Another text message was sent out for that prank. It read, ?Food fight 6th period. Spread the word.?
?The lunchroom was crazy,? sophomore Danny Cabrera said. ?Food, nachos going everywhere.?
After police responded to the food fight, the school went on lockdown. Officers turned away students who showed up to take exams, explaining that no one could enter the school.
Five students were arrested as a result of the pranks ? two after the water balloon fight and three after the food fight. Even after the arrests, police officers and their K-9 companions remained on campus for the rest of the day. However, some students think that the authorities? response to the pranks was a bit severe.
?I mean, I don?t think it was completely necessary to have this many cops, this many dogs,? senior Carlos Vale said. ?It was a little intense.?
The students involved in the pranks who managed to escape criminal charges could face disciplinary action from the school. DiLorenzo called Thursday?s events ?disappointing,? but said that the incidents were not a reflection of how the students usually behave.
It is expected that there will be an increased police presence at the school Friday, since it will be the seniors? last official day of classes.