Metro Vancouver Parents Criticize School Board’s Response to Reported Threats
Parents in Metro Vancouver are expressing frustration over the school board’s lackluster response to recent reported threats. Schools including Centennial Secondary in Coquitlam and Glenayre Elementary in Port Moody experienced a temporary hold-and-secure status due to these threats on Wednesday. Although the threats were later deemed non-credible, ambiguity remains regarding the current status of the hold-and-secure measures across all schools.
Concerns Over Communication
Many parents, including Shaun Driver, who has a six-year-old attending Glenayre, are dissatisfied with the school district’s communication. Driver received an initial email around 1:30 p.m. about the incident that sparked immediate concern. He described the message as alarming but noted that a subsequent email provided slightly more clarity.
“I had to infer a lot from the information provided, which I find unacceptable,” Driver stated, emphasizing the need for clearer communication from School District 43.
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities are taking these threats seriously. Insp. Veronica Fox of the Coquitlam RCMP confirmed that they are actively investigating the origins of the threats, noting connections between calls made to schools in both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. The threats were initiated via phone but were ultimately determined to be non-credible.
Threat Type and Safety Measures
- Threats were reported via phone calls.
- The police are investigating potential connections to similar incidents.
- Schools initiated hold-and-secure measures as a precaution.
In related matters, Port Moody police are also probing a similar episode at an elementary school, which resulted in a hold and secure status. The authorities aim to ensure the safety of students and staff during these uncertain times.
The events have heightened community concerns about safety, highlighting the need for effective communication during emergencies.
