A Regina high school and a nearby private school were placed briefly in Secure-the-Building mode this morning as police investigated a disturbance in the neighbourhood. The Secure-the-Building protocol was lifted approximately 40 minutes later with no incident.
Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of East 14th Avenue this morning (May 17, 2016) at about 10:48 a.m. after a call was received of three “popping” sounds in the neighbourhood. As a precaution, police and school administration of the neighbourhood high school enacted a Secure-the-Building protocol*. The same protocol was enacted for a nearby private school. As patrol members conducted a search and inquiries in the neighbourhood, School Resource Officers checked both schools to ensure there were no unauthorized guests. Patrol members did not find anything to substantiate a potential firearm threat, but members did arrest an 18 year-old male in the area who was the subject of a number of warrants. The Secure-the-Building protocol was lifted shortly thereafter.
The Regina Police Service thanks the public and the city’s school administrators, staff and students for their cooperation. Having an organized, well-rehearsed approach to any potential threat to public safety allows police and other responders to act quickly and efficiently.
* “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.
