High River High School Lifts Security Protocol Following Armed Visitor Alert
A high school in High River, Alberta, activated a temporary hold-and-secure protocol on Thursday after receiving an alarming phone call warning of an armed visitor approaching the campus. The school immediately reported the threat to the High River RCMP detachment at 10:39 a.m., according to an official news release from the police force.
Rapid Police Response and School Search
Mounties from the town south of Calgary arrived at École Secondaire Highwood High School within just two minutes of receiving the emergency call. The school was promptly placed in a hold-and-secure status, with both RCMP officers and school staff conducting a thorough search of the premises to ensure student and staff safety.
"The school was placed in a hold-and-secure and searched by RCMP and school staff," stated the RCMP release, highlighting the coordinated response to the potential threat.
Continued Police Presence Despite Lifted Protocol
While the hold-and-secure protocol has since been lifted, RCMP officers will remain on site for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure. The police force emphasized their ongoing commitment to community safety in their official statement.
"High River RCMP remains committed to ensuring public safety of our community and will continue to respond promptly to any concerns that are brought forward," the release affirmed, reassuring residents of their vigilance.
Context of Recent School Violence Concerns
This security incident in High River occurred just two days after a tragic mass shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. That devastating event resulted in nine fatalities, including the perpetrator who died from a self-inflicted injury, marking it as Canada's deadliest mass shooting in nearly four decades.
The proximity of these two incidents has heightened awareness about school security protocols across the country, with educational institutions and law enforcement agencies reviewing their emergency response procedures.
The rapid response by High River RCMP demonstrates the effectiveness of established security protocols when potential threats emerge. School administrators followed proper procedures by immediately contacting authorities rather than dismissing the anonymous warning, potentially preventing a more serious situation.
Community members have expressed appreciation for the prompt police action while also voicing concerns about the frequency of such threats in educational settings. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining robust security measures and clear communication channels between schools, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.
