Police were called to a high school in Ottawa Valley on Tuesday for what the school board called a “potential safety concern.”
OPP officials were at the Renfrew Collegiate Institute, a spokesman for the Renfrew County School Board said Tuesday. The school remained open during the day and classes continued as usual.
“As this is an ongoing investigation, the OPP has asked us not to disclose more information at this time,” the spokesman said in a statement. “The OPP is in place today all day at the school and the school remains open to students and staff.”
“We look forward to providing an update to our parents / guardians and our school communities by the end of the day today, after receiving further guidance from the OPP on this issue.”
A photo from CTV News Ottawa shows someone scratching the “Shoot up 7 June” sign on a school wall.
The board posted a note on Facebook on Monday that police would be at the school on Tuesday.
“Earlier today, we learned that there was dangerous graffiti that suggested a potential safety concern found in our building,” the statement said. “We know that this information has reached the community and is very upsetting for our students and families.
“Please be assured that we have taken this potential safety issue very seriously and are investigating fully with the support of the OPP.”
The board has promised to keep parents and guardians informed as more information becomes available.
Nicole Malcolm has two daughters who attend the Renfrew Collegiate, and says that while the school will not develop safety concerns, others have.
“Basically, there were things written in the bathroom booths for both women and men,” Malcolm said, adding that she spoke to OPP officials who assured her that the school was safe; however, few students attended class on Tuesday. “One of my daughters, in 7th grade, three classmates, and the other almost the same… There’s too much fuss here today, so I decided it was good to bring them home and let them do their work in Google’s classroom.
“It’s very sad,” Malcolm said. “We are seeing more and more of this, but the reaction of the police is incredible and they are keeping us safe.”
Add Comment