'It feels like a ghost town': Police presence at CCH after alleged threats made in graffiti
There was a police presence at Catholic Central Secondary School (CCH) in downtown London, Ont. Friday after an alleged threat was discovered on a bathroom wall.
Students described the school atmosphere as “eerie,” including grade 12 students Maddy Trottier and Camila Tsun-Rubio.
“It feels like a ghost town, like there’s almost no-one there, you kind of just feel like...I don’t know, it feels strange,” explained Tsun-Rubio.
“Yes, very creepy,” added Trottier.
Police were brought in after graffiti was discovered in a washroom Tuesday and Wednesday, indicating an alleged threat to students and staff that was to take place on Friday. London Police Service Const. Sandasha Bough told CTV News London officers were stationed at CCH for the entire school day.
“The threat was made by way of property damage, and we can say that there has been an increased police presence in and around the school throughout the day,” said Bough.
Students appeared to be taking the threat as seriously as anyone.
“Kind of an attitude of a semi-lockdown,” said grade 12 student James Bell. “You know, we’re not allowed to go to the bathroom, we’re stuck in class,” he added.
“I think you always have to take it a bit seriously, even if it’s, you know, not likely,” said grade 13 student Brandon Wood.
A security guard is seen letting students inside an entrance at Catholic Central Secondary School in London, Ont. on Nov. 25, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
In a letter to families and staff, CCH principal said, in part:
“Please know we take these threats very seriously and involve the police immediately. We also hope that if you are hearing anything from your child regarding this incident or any other that may compromise the safety of students and staff, please contact administration.”
It added, “I would ask that families refrain from speculation or circulating rumors, especially those that may appear online.”
According to the London District Catholic School Board, about half of the students at CCH were absent Friday. However, a spokesperson added that the board does not keep track of the reasons why students are not at school.
This threat follows a number of similar incidents at schools throughout the region this year, including this past September when the Catholic Board was forced to close two high schools because of an alleged bomb threat.
Professor in the faculty of education at Western University, and a former public school board education director, Bill Tucker said there’s a parallel between the increase in school threats and mental health issues.
“There just seems to be a gap there in terms of students’ ability to resolve conflict appropriately,” said Tucker. “That kind of approach has to start right from junior kindergarten, all the way up through to secondary school. It has to be all these different interchangeable strategies to deal with mental health and behaviour issues.”
Police did not reveal the nature of the threat. Their investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, grade 12 student Aaryan Hossain said he can’t believe what’s happening.
“It just seems not normal,” he said. “It’s shocking really. I don’t know how to react to it, you know.”
The incident comes days after a stabbing incident at H.B. Beal Secondary School.
— With files from CTV News London's Kristylee Varley
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.