Kitchener school set to reopen Friday after reported threat, police continue to investigate

Police are investigating after two separate threats of violence towards two Kitchener high schools led to full-day closures.

On Wednesday, police received a call from an unknown person at around 2:40 a.m. The person on the line threatened to carry out what police are calling ‘acts of violence’ at St. Mary’s High School on Block Line Rd. The school was subsequently closed on Wednesday and Thursday as a safety precaution.

Just a day later, on Thursday, police received a similar call at around 1:20 a.m., this time threatening to carry out ‘acts of violence’ at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute on Charles St. East. The school was also closed for the day on Thursday as a safety precaution.

“There were several pieces of information given by the caller that did cause concern for our investigators, and it does take a lot of resources to look into these types of threats; these investigations can take some time and until we are satisfied that there are no safety concerns for students and staff, the school will remain closed,” said Waterloo Regional Police Spokesperson Cherri Greeno.

Greeno added that in each case, the caller had a ‘very similar voice, with very similar language’, leading police to believe the two calls were related.

She also notes, that if the threat is a hoax, there will be serious consequences for those involved.

“The person responsible will face significant charges that could include public mischief, uttering threats or other serious criminal charges…we have significant resources dedicated to this investigation, including our General Investigations Unit and Cybercrime Unit.”

In a statement, the WRDSB said, “This decision (to close) was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of all those in the CHCI school community. Staff are working in partnership with WRPS to continue their investigation and will provide updates as they become available with the goal of reopening the school safely and as quickly as possible.”

Students learned from home on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the Waterloo District Public School Board has confirmed that students will return to class on Friday, as Waterloo Regional Police do not believe there are any safety concerns for students or staff.

There will be an increased police presence in the area of the school.