Nanaimo RCMP say the lockdown at Dover Bay Secondary has been lifted following an unspecified threat.
Students at the high school are now being released.
The hold and secure has also been lifted at McGirr Elementary. Parents can pick up their kids at both schools.
Police said earlier Friday the threat was directed toward Dover Bay High School and students within the building. The school had previously been under a hold and secure before being placed under the lockdown Friday afternoon.
According to police, the lockdown came following information that elevated the risk assessment. Police said the lockdown is in place “out of an abundance of caution only.”
#Alert Dover Bay HS placed on Lock Down following information received which elevated the risk assessment. Lock Down in place out of an abundance of caution only. McGirr remains Hold and Secure @sd68bc @cityofnanaimo
— Nanaimo RCMP (@NanaimoRCMP) February 21, 2020
Under a lockdown, students and staff gather in secure rooms, close and secure doors, turn off the lights and silence cellphones. All normal activities in the school cease.
Police at the scene of a hold and secure at Dover Bay High School in Nanaimo on Feb. 21, 2020.
McGirr Elementary was under a hold and secure due to its close proximity to Dover Bay. In a hold and secure, exterior doors are locked and normal school activities resume inside.
Additional police officers were at both locations.
Hold and secure is in place @sd68bc Dover Bay School after “unspecified threat,” according to @NanaimoRCMP @cheknews pic.twitter.com/g1VpYpQwJj
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) February 21, 2020
RCMP officers with rifles have been seen on the streets near the schools. Traffic was also being stopped at Turner Road and Hammond Bay Road.
“The decision to place additional police officers at both facilities is not taken lightly and was done after consulting with senior management of the Nanaimo and District School Board. The safety and security of staff and students at both facilities is paramount and the officers will remain in place and visible, until the situation has been resolved, “ Const. Gary O’Brien, media relations officer for the Nanaimo RCMP, said in a statement.
CHEK News
