Arrests made in several hoax school threats in Winnipeg

Parents are being urged to talk to their kids about the serious consequences of making threats against schools after a string of such incidents in Winnipeg.

Police are warning the public about the repercussions that nearly a dozen hoax school threats have had on the city over the past month, tying up valuable resources and adversely impacting students.

Winnipeg Police Service Staff Sgt. Shaun Venn said officers responded to 11 calls between Feb. 3 and 19 regarding threats targeting schools.

The most recent was on Tuesday, after a “concerning” threat was made against Windsor Park Collegiate. Classes were subsequently cancelled on Wednesday.

Other schools targeted include Niji Mahkwa School, St. John’s High School and Bernie Wolfe School.

“While our investigations to date have determined that none of these specific threats were credible, the impact that they’ve had on our city, on our students, on our teachers, on our families is very real and the consequences for those responsible, even more so,” Venn said at a news conference Wednesday.

The string of incidents and subsequent investigations resulted in charges against a 13-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 30-year-old woman from Toronto, Ont., police said.

The charges have not been proven in court.

A 10-year-old youth was also referred to the Turnabout program as part of one investigation.

Five other incidents are still being investigated, though Staff Sgt. Venn declined to share further details as not to compromise officers’ work.

Officers said they take every school threat seriously, launching investigations that can consume a substantial amount of resources including patrol units, K9, drones and helicopters.

“If we’re responding to pranks, that means that critical emergency resources are being diverted away from lifesaving emergencies in other parts of the city,” Venn said.

Officers called on parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of these pranks, including a lasting criminal record.

“That send button can change your life. Do not do it.”

- With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebvre