Four Orillia schools were put in a hold and secure on Friday.
Around 10 a.m., police say they responded to a mental health call in the area of Barrie Road. Since officers had reason to believe the person posed a risk to public safety, Harriett Todd Elementary School and Twin Lakes Secondary School were placed in a hold and secure.
OPP officers with members of the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), K9 Unit and Rama Police Service located a man, who was not on school property, and he was apprehened and taken to a local hospital.
Then shortly after 1:30 p.m., police say a business owner reported seeing a youth with a possible gun in the area of West Street North and Fittons Road. As a result, Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School and Monsignor Lee Catholic School were placed in a hold and secure. Officers and the OPP Emergency Response Team began an investigation in the area and determined there was no threat to public safety and the hold and secure was released.
"A hold and secure is initiated when there is a situation in the community that is not related to the school, like a bank robbery nearby," according to the website of the Simcoe County District School Board. "A hold and secure is usually initiated by police. During a hold and secure, activities continue inside the building, but all exterior doors are locked and no one is allowed to enter or exit the school."
