UPDATE: As of 1:50 p.m. on Friday afternoon, Dover Bay Secondary School is under lockdown.
McGirr Elementary remains under hold and secure. Read more here.
Earlier: Dover Bay Secondary School and McGirr Elementary School have been placed under hold and secure due to an unspecified threat in the area.
According to a statement from Nanaimo RCMP, the threat appears to be directed towards the high school and the students in the building at 6135 McGirr Rd.
Due to its close proximity, nearby McGirr Elementary School was also placed under hold and secure.
Police have been stationed at both locations and will remain there until the situation is resolved.
“The decision to place additional police officers at both facilities is not taken lightly and was done after consulting with senior management of the Nanaimo and District School Board,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien.
“The safety and security of staff and students at both facilities is paramount and the officers will remain in place and visible, until the situation has been resolved.”
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.
