Update 11:34 a.m.:
Police say the lockdown at West Vancouver Secondary has been lifted after no evidence of a threat was found.
Classes will not be running for the rest of the day, but the school will be open to students, staff and parents seeking support, West Vancouver Police Department said.
"The investigation into this threat is ongoing, so no further details can be released at this time," said Suzanne Birch, West Vancouver Police spokesperson. "As emergency personnel leave the scene, we continue to ask members of the public to avoid the area."
Update:
Classes are resuming at West Vancouver Secondary after the school was briefly evacuated and closed following a threat, Thursday morning.
“The West Vancouver Police Department and community partners attended on site and after a thorough investigation have ensured the building is safe to return to. At this time, we are inviting students and staff back starting at 11:55 this morning to resume class,” an update from the school read.
Original:
Students and staff at West Vancouver Secondary have been evacuated and parents are being asked to not send their children to school Thursday morning due to safety concerns.
West Vancouver Secondary sent out an email at 7:33 a.m. Thursday saying West Vancouver Police Department and other community partners are working to ensure the safety of the school community. The few students and staff that were on site have been evacuated and officers are continuing to clear the building.
The school district's statement doesn't specify the nature of the threat.
"We ask that members of the public would avoid the area and follow police instructions," said Suzanne Birch, spokesperson for the West Vancouver Police Department in a post on X. “Neighbours can expect can increased police presence throughout the day."
The school said they will reach out once the school can welcome students back safely.
More to come...
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
