Schools in Calgary, elsewhere receive threats; police investigating but believe there's no danger

(FILE)

Multiple threats were made on Monday toward Calgary schools, as well as schools elsewhere.

Police do not currently believe the threats were legitimate but continue to investigate their origin.

The Calgary Catholic School District said several of its schools received threats.

Monday, the Catholic district sent out a letter to parents and guardians of its students:

"We would like to inform you that this morning, several schools within the Calgary Catholic School District, as well as other schools locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, received an identical threat," the letter said.

"The Calgary Police Service has investigated the situation and determined it to be a low-level threat.

"However, we take all threats seriously and are working closely with CPS and our school administration to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff."

According to the Catholic district, school operations proceeded normally on Monday.

The Calgary Board of Education said one of its senior high schools received a threat on  Monday morning via email.

The public district also said it has heard of "identical threats received by other schools locally, provincially, nationally and internationally."

It said it takes all potential threats seriously:

"The school immediately called the Calgary Police Service. They investigated the situation and determined there was no danger at any of our schools," the public district said in a statement.

"The safety and security of students and staff is our top priority. Each situation that arises requires an appropriate level of response to support the safety and security of students and staff.

"Should there be evidence that would require a school to initiate other critical incident protocols or procedures, we would act quickly to enact those processes."

Calgary police issued a statement on Monday:

"We can confirm that CPS is aware of threats made toward several schools within the city today in both the Calgary Catholic School District and the Calgary Board of Education; however, at this time, none of the threats are believed to be legitimate, and no schools were evacuated," the statement said.

"Police continue to investigate the origin of the threats."

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute also received a threat on Monday, police in that city say.

According to Lethbridge police, in that scenario, a threat was found "written on school property."

"The message involved a threat of harm to students and staff on Dec. 19," Lethbridge police said in a release.

"An investigation was subsequently initiated and is ongoing to determine the veracity of the threat and who is responsible, but there is no evidence to suggest an imminent risk.

"Classes will proceed as usual this week, and police will be in attendance at the school."