Security measures are being stepped up at several high schools in Peel Region after reported threats of violence on social media.
Peel Regional Police confirm they are investigating an online post they allege made threats towards specific schools in Brampton for Thursday. Police tell CityNews they were made aware of the post on Monday.
“Police have been working collaboratively with the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff,” reads a statement from Peel police.
“There will be increased security measures put in place in consultation with both school boards as the safety of our students and school staff is paramount.”
Investigators say the schools listed in the social media post are:
- Holy Name of Mary
- Louise Arbour
- Saint Thomas Aquinas
- Bramalea Secondary
- Notre Dame
- North Park SS
Police have not said what type of threats were made in the online post.
School boards enhance security measures
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board (DPCDSB) tells CItyNews they learned of the threatening social media post earlier this week, adding it was “related to Thursday, Oct. 5,” and shared it with police.
The board confirms enhanced security measures are in place at the three DPCDSB schools mentioned in the post — Holy Name of Mary, Notre Dame and St. Thomas Aquinas. The schools will also be placed in hold-and-secure for the day.
“A number of events and activities planned at these schools for Thursday have been rescheduled or cancelled,” the board says. “DPCDSB takes potential threats very seriously, and every effort is made to maintain the safety and well-being of students and staff.”
The other three mentioned schools, Louise Arbour, Bramalea Secondary and North Park SS belong to the Peel District School Board (PDSB). The PDSB tells CityNews they were made aware of the anonymous post against the three schools.
The board says they have stepped up security measures and will keep the mentioned high schools in hold-and-secure for the day.
“Upon becoming aware of this online threat, the school board’s security staff, school board’s school support staff, and local police have been working collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff,” reads a statement from the board.
The PDSB says additional security will be monitoring the halls of the schools and there will be controlled access to the buildings.
Back in March, Peel police similarly investigated a series of online threats targeting high schools in Mississauga and Brampton. Four of the same high schools mentioned in the recent threat — Holy Name of Mary, Louise Arbour, St. Thomas Aquinas and Notre Dame — were also named in the threat in March.
