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Security beefed up at three Nanaimo schools

NANAIMO — Security will be increased at three Nanaimo schools over the next few days, due to a possible threat.

NANAIMO — Security will be increased at three Nanaimo schools over the next few days, due to a possible threat.

Security guards will be stationed outside Dover Bay and Nanaimo District secondary schools, Cilaire Elementary School and at the school district’s administration centre to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district spokeswoman Donna Reimer stressed there have been no direct threats against the three schools or the district office, and that the security measures are being undertaken under new threat-assessment procedures the district recently established with the RCMP.

Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Gary O’Brien said the increased security is the result of “personal issues” related to a district staff member and his relationship with a number of other employees in the district, but did not elaborate.

As part of the new protocols with the district, O’Brien said, police and school officials determined where the employee had worked during his career in the district and increased security around those buildings.

He said the employee in question lives in the community “under various conditions” and the RCMP are continuing to closely monitor the situation.

Reimer said that while she’s aware the increased security will worry some students, parents and staff members, “we would like to reassure them the district is taking these steps to be proactive in order to ensure the safety of our schools.

“These types of situations do arise from time to time and in almost every case, nothing will happen, but we want to err on the side of caution until we are assured the situation is resolved.”

Reimer said the district expects there will be a better understanding of the situation within the next few days and further decisions will be made at that time.

She said letters explaining the situation have been sent home to parents of students at the three schools.