Delta police are sharing details about why a North Delta elementary school was placed in a hold and secure on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said in a news release Wednesday that officers responded to a report of a home invasion in progress in the 11600 block of 86th Ave. just before 12:30 p.m.
“Upon arrival, officers contained the residence while school liaison officers attended nearby Hellings Elementary and initiated a precautionary ‘hold and secure,” said A/Insp. James Sandberg. “While the call did not involve the school, the proximity determined the need to enact safety measures to ensure the students remained safe inside.”
Sandberg said officers quickly determined the suspect had fled prior to officer arrival.
The scene was declared safe and the “hold and secure” was released approximately 45 minutes after it was put in place.
“The Delta police would like to assure parents, students and staff of Hellings Elementary that this incident was targeted at a nearby residence and not specific to Hellings Elementary,” he said. “Hold and secure is a prescribed response protocol used by the Delta School District, in response to a potential threat of violence happening in the neighbourhood near a school.”
During a “hold and secure,” students remain inside classrooms in the school. Staff close doors, windows, blinds and shutters until the external situation is resolved. School liaison officers may attend schools to assist.
