(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

what we know so far

UPDATE: Bomb threat against multiple Red Deer-area schools ‘not credible,’ say RCMP

Dec 16, 2024 | 11:48 AM

RCMP are investigating after a bomb threat was made Sunday against at least four central Alberta schools.

Red Deer’s St. Joseph High School and St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, which are operated by Red Deer Catholic, plus the Wolf Creek Public-run Iron Ridge Junior Campus in Blackfalds, were all confirmed on  Monday to have been subjected to the threat, which was later deemed to not be credible.

Red Deer RCMP added on Tuesday that Pines Alternative School, run by Red Deer Public, was also affected.

RCMP say the two Red Deer schools’ principals received an email on Sunday, which prompted RCMP to go into each one and conduct a search.

The same occurred at Iron Ridge Monday morning, where classes were cancelled for the day, said Superintendent Tim De Ruyck.

Colleges and polytechnics

RDP and Olds College ranked among top 50 research institutions in Canada

10h ago

Christmas Tradition

CPKC Holiday train to arrive in central Alberta on Dec. 8

13h ago

Near Millet

Wetaskiwin RCMP respond to fatal collision on Highway 814

13h ago

Classes remained in session in Red Deer, however.

In a letter sent to parents Monday morning, and provided to rdnewsNOW by a parent, St. Francis Principal, Rori-Lynn Daniel, writes that the threat came in late Sunday evening.

The threat indicated the threat pertained to Dec. 16.

No evidence of a credible threat was found, the letter states.

“We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. After careful assessment, we have determined that it is safe for students and staff to attend school as regularly scheduled,” Daniel writes.

“The school will be fully operational today, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigated this situation.”

Additional supports are also being provided to students who request them.

Red Deer Catholic Superintendent Kathleen Finnigan notes that schools utilized their ‘Hour Zero’ protocols in response to the threats, and she praised the work of RCMP.

The parent who provided rdnewsNOW the letter noted that their child heard from staff that the threat was made out of Florida.

Wolf Creek’s De Ruyck adds that a letter will go out to their parents once more has been confirmed in Blackfalds.

“While the threats have been deemed unsubstantiated, the RCMP takes all reports of this nature seriously. Our top priority is the safety and security of our schools,” RCMP say in a release on Tuesday.

“We understand that situations like this can cause concern but we are committed to investigating any potential threat to ensure the well-being of our community. Red Deer RCMP are continuing the investigation into the source of the threat, with preliminary information suggesting that the emails originated outside of Canada.”

According to the Canadian Press, bomb threats were also made against two high schools in Winnipeg on Sunday. Those schools were also closed.

WJAX, a TV station in Florida, reported Monday morning about a bomb threat in St. Johns County at a Publix supermarket.

Several schools in Delhi, India also received a bomb threat Monday morning, according to DelhiNow.

As of Monday morning, there’s been no link drawn by authorities between any of these cases.

Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Red Deer–Lacombe, released the following statement on Wednesday:

“Thankfully, after thorough searches, the RCMP confirmed that there was no credible danger, and determined that the source of the emails came from outside of Canada. These threats were completely despicable, reckless and unacceptable, and our community has and will continue to stand with our first responders, parents and children,” he said.

“Our law enforcement demonstrates a brave dedication to keeping our communities safe and are committed to ensure that our schools remain secure places for learning, while making those responsible for abhorrent acts like these accountable.

“Families can be assured that they are safe from these fake threats; however, we must always remain vigilant. The Office of MP Blaine Calkins remains committed to supporting our community and families through this challenging time.”

If anyone has any information regarding these crimes, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www. P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.