The Regina Police Service and Regina School Divisions responded quickly to a “suspicious person” call this morning that resulted in a number of south-end schools enacting their Secure-the-Building protocols for a brief period to ensure public and school safety. This event is now over with no threat to the public. Everything has returned to normal.
On Thursday, March 17, 2016, at 11:02 a.m., police received a call from an individual who reported having briefly seen a person running in the area of the 100 block of Massey Road, carrying an object. The School Resource Officer section was made aware, patrol members were dispatched to the area and the Regina Police Service notified the School Divisions. Schools in the area enacted their Secure-the-Building protocols.* Upon further investigation, police located a female in the area, who was carrying a sports equipment case with a camouflage pattern. There was no offence committed and no further cause for alarm. All stakeholders were notified of this positive development and things returned to normal.
The Regina Police Service credits all involved for rapid, effective communications and actions to resolve this issue. Any time members of the public see something they feel is suspicious, they are encouraged to call police. In this instance, police were called, they notified partners (schools) who took appropriate steps to ensure safety; police conducted an investigation and quickly determined there was no threat to public safety. This speedy resolution is the result of good relationships and trust.
* “Secure the Building”: Is a situation where it is believed a threat is currently outside the building resulting in the decision to secure the school whereby all outside doors will be locked to secure the building. Each exterior door is to be monitored by designated school staff until Secure the Building mode has been lifted. Entry and exit of the building will be at the front doors only and are to be monitored by police and school administration. Regular interior school activities continue in a controlled manner.