UPDATE: The lockdown was lifted at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Friday afternoon. More information about the threat is forthcoming.
Earlier: Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed that Dover Bay Secondary School is now under lockdown after being placed under hold and secure earlier today.
In a phone call with Victoria Buzz, Cst. Gary O’Brien stated that the lockdown was deemed necessary after police received more information about an ongoing unspecified threat directed towards the high school and its students.
See also: Two Nanaimo schools placed under Hold and Secure
Police do not believe the new information to be credible, but have placed the school under lockdown out of an abundance of caution after an elevated risk assessment.
“Being in lockdown means students are locked in their classrooms and await word from police or senior management,” said O’Brien.
https://twitter.com/NanaimoRCMP/status/1230972223567155202
He expects the lockdown to be lifted soon, having delayed an expected early dismissal from school.
Nearby McGirr Elementary School remains under hold and secure, and police officers are stationed at both institutions today.
A ‘hold and secure’ is used when there is an ongoing situation outside the school that is not related to the school, like a robbery nearby or a cougar sighting in the neighbourhood.
Under these circumstances, the school continues to function normally, with the exterior doors being locked until the situation is resolved.
Meanwhil a ‘lockdown’ is only used when there is a major incident or threat of school violence within the school, or in relation to the school.
