THUNDER BAY – As the threats have continued, the Thunder Bay Police Service has remained focused on ending the disruption to the Hammarskjold High School, and this week one day at Superior Collegiate Institute. There have been twelve threats to the local high schools, and they have resulted in the school being closed ten times.
On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Thunder Bay Police Service is confirming that the OPP is providing support as an investigation into numerous threats targeting local high schools continues.
Thunder Bay Police are also reporting that the threats have been coming in via Crimestoppers. They are not saying if those threats are being made by telephone or email. Crimestoppers is an anonymous means for people to report crimes. This is causing issues for police as they can’t get the telephone numbers or computer ISP addresses.
In Toronto, the Crimestoppers website reports, “Be advised, if your intent is to use our reporting platform as an avenue to threaten or cause harm to any person, place or thing; or for any other illegal purpose other than to legitimately report a crime you will not be protected by Crime Stoppers privilege.”
Members of the Criminal Investigations Branch of the Thunder Bay Police Service have been investigating several cases of anonymous threats against local high schools. Most threats have involved Hammarskjold High School, while a more recent case named Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
The OPP officially became involved at the request of the TBPS earlier on in this investigation. Receiving support from outside agencies during major cases is common as such investigations progress.
Police continue to investigate several leads related to these threats as the investigation continues to move forward.
Anyone with knowledge about the specifics of these threats is urged to contact police directly at the dedicated tip line at (807)-684-5001.
April 18, 2019, has been declared as “Red and Gold Day”. A day to show support for Hammarskjold High School.
The ongoing threats have been brought to the attention of the provincial Ministry of Education.
Heather Irwin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education says, “Student safety is the top priority for the government. Lakehead District School Board has kept ministry staff apprised of this situation and the ministry will continue to monitor. The Education Act gives school boards the authority to make decisions on whether or not to close schools based on a number of factors including extreme circumstances such as school threats/safety concerns of students and staff.
“Boards and schools have flexibility in how they accommodate for lost instructional time. Teachers and principals are responsible for adjusting curriculum planning to ensure that curriculum expectations are covered and assessed. At this time, we are not aware of consideration being given by boards to extend the school year.”
