Coquitlam students face 3rd day of ‘hold and secure’ procedures as police respond to threats

Students at several Coquitlam, B.C., schools were placed under “hold and secure” protocols Friday over what administrators described as a “called in threat.”

The Coquitlam School District told CBC News in an email at 11:30 a.m. PT that the hold and secure was a “precautionary measure.”

By 1 p.m., the district posted online that the emergency protocols had been lifted.

Centennial Secondary, Vanier Centre and Goal Oriented Alternative Learning were all placed under the hold and secure, while “precautions” were taken at Porter Street Elementary, according to the school district.

Friday is the third day in a row students and teachers in the Vancouver suburb have dealt with such disruptions.

No evidence students at risk, police say

Coquitlam RCMP said they are working with the school district to investigate the “alleged threats” but so far, “no corroborating information or evidence has been identified indicating students or staff were at risk.”

“We understand the frustration and concern that the public may feel in response to these incidents,” Sgt. Adriana O’Malley said in a statement.

“However, we want to remind the public that these incidents are designed to create fear and gain publicity. Publicly circulating or amplifying unverified information can contribute to further disruptions.”

Police say they are still looking for whoever is behind the threats, and noted that it is a crime to make a false police report.

What is a hold and secure?

A school district policy document defines a hold and secure as an emergency procedure “used if there is a security concern in the neighbourhood. It says, “Typically, normal activities continue within the school.”

The policy calls for everyone to be brought inside the school, for windows to be closed and blinds or drapes drawn, and for unauthorized people not to enter or exit the school.