NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On November 19, 2024, at approximately 10:00am the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers responded to Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School on Linwell Road in St. Catharines regarding a threats call for service.
The Niagara Regional Police Service was contacted by INTERPOL Washington after they were contacted by the social media app “Snapchat”. Snapchat had alerted INTERPOL after a St. Catharines based user made a threatening post towards a school while in the possession of an apparent weapon.
Officers attended the school and were able to quickly identify and arrest a student suspect. Officers determined there was no further safety concerns stemming from the incident. Regular school activities were not interupted due to the incident.
A 15-year-old female from St. Catharines was arrested for uttering a threat.
1 District detectives were assigned to the investigation. The threat was determined to not be credible and an attempt at humour gone terribly wrong.
The 15-year-old female was released from police custody without charge within the extrajudicial measures guidelines of the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada.
The investigation remains ongoing by 1 District detectives. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009222.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is urging youth and the community to understand the serious consequences of making online threats, even when intended as a joke. Threats, whether made in person or online, are treated as real until proven otherwise, as public safety is the highest priority.
Things to Consider:
- Understand the Law: Threats, regardless of intent, can lead to criminal charges. A "joke" online can result in an arrest, court appearances, and a criminal record, which can impact future education and career opportunities.
- The Real-World Impact: Online threats disrupt schools, cause fear and anxiety, and drain community resources as law enforcement investigates every report thoroughly.
- Think Before You Post: Social media is not anonymous, and any statement that causes fear or alarm can have lasting consequences.
- Parental Guidance Is Key: Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss responsible online behavior with their children, emphasizing the consequences of poor digital choices.
The NRPS is committed to ensuring the safety of all schools and takes every threat seriously. We remind the public that even seemingly harmless jokes can have profound and unintended consequences.
If you or someone you know becomes aware of any threats to public safety, report them immediately by calling 911 or your local police.
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