A growling coyote, scratching at the door of a Riverside elementary school, prompted police with guns drawn approach the school.
Riverside police officers responded to a call about 8:25 a.m. Nov. 20 about a coyote by the rear parking lot of St. Mary School, 97 Herrick Road.
When officers arrived at the school, they saw the coyote near the playground. It was scratching at the door trying to get into the school, and growling and showing its teeth. As officers approached the playground, the coyote continued growling and baring its teeth.
Fearing for their safety and the safety of the students, the officers unholstered their weapons but kept them down at their sides, not pointing them toward the coyote or school.
The coyote eventually went out of the playground area, exiting through a space between a fence and the school building, and ran down Herrick Road.
Officers will continue to check the area for the coyote, and will remain a presence at the school for the rest of the day.
