Given the particularly high tensions around student safety at schools right now, two Alberta school divisions are sharing details about recent incidents involving cap guns.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, an incident near Mary Bergeron Elementary resulted in the Edson RCMP arresting one individual. A suspect was acting strangely near the school during recess, and reportedly threw beef jerky and yelled bible verses at students.
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Read more: Edson RCMP arrest man hurling beef jerky and bible verses at school children
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In a letter to student families and staff, the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) says a hold and secure protocol, which requires everyone to stay inside the building with the doors locked, was promptly issued. Once the school was secure, the principal went outside to monitor the situation.
At that point, a brief interaction involving a cap gun reportedly occurred off-site between the individual and the principal. The division says the principal was not harmed, and clarifies that no students or staff were nearby when the interaction occurred, and the individual did not enter the school at any point.
“I know that hearing about a weapon of any kind is incredibly upsetting, especially given the news from across the country this week,” states Superintendent Kurt Scobie. “However, I want to reassure you that our safety plans worked exactly the way they were supposed to. Our staff stayed calm, our procedures were solid, and most importantly, our staff and students were kept safe.”
The individual was arrested and taken into custody by the Edson RCMP shortly afterward.
Meantime, the Northern Gateway Public School Division (NGPSD) reports that Thursday afternoon, a young student reportedly brought a cap gun onto a school bus.
The division says that regardless of the subject’s age and whether the item is known to be a toy, it has an extensive investigative assessment process for these incidents, which is underway.
“While it is never acceptable to bring a toy gun to school, the current circumstances mean that every care should be taken at home to ensure that only appropriate items come to school,” officials state.
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the division any time at learn@ngps.ca, or at its after-hours emergency line, 780-706-8222. It also encourages those seeking provincial mental health assistance to contact 211.
