Threat made to local school

 

By Vicki Winger

 

Last Wednesday, Living Waters School Board released an advisory to the public regarding graffiti found on a washroom wall at the École St. Joseph School March 28. Due to the nature of the graffiti, the RCMP were notified.

The protocol for such situations is for the school to go into lockdown mode. This situation remained until Easter break. The school remained open; however, students were not permitted to leave unless they were not returning. To ensure the safety of everyone, the school heightened its safety and security measures. The RCMP remained involved.

 

The Press spoke with Living Waters Catholic Schools Superintendent Jo-Anne Lanctot the following morning. Lanctot was unable to comment on the situation and on what was written as she didn’t want to jeopardize the integrity of the investigation. “The safety of the students is a priority and they have increased the school staff presence as well as having the RCMP attend,” Lanctot said.

 

The incident came two days after a similar occurrence was reported by the Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School in Fort McMurray in which disturbing graffiti was on the bathroom walls. In total there have been nine threats made against schools in Alberta during the month of March alone. Of those, four suspects have been charged, one suspended, and another three were unfounded. As of March 29, the Whitecourt incident was still under investigation.