No actual threat at Sherwood high school

Hamilton police want to warn the public about the significant resources it takes to investigate school threats following a recent uptick in false calls.

The latest — in a string of at least six — took place at Sherwood Secondary School on Wednesday morning, where an investigation revealed there was no actual threat against the Mountain school, said Const. Jerome Stewart.

Police were dispatched to the scene to investigate. One officer remained there for the rest of the day to speak with staff and students, as the school remained open with classes running normally.

“We take these very seriously, and it’s a lot of work,” said Stewart.

“No matter what it is, we have to investigate fully and it does take up a lot of resources.”

“This recent trend — it needs to stop,” he added.

Stewart said there have been at least a half-dozen calls of this type in Hamilton over the past few weeks.

Last month, a “suspicious note” threatening violence against Elizabeth Bagshaw Elementary School led to a hold and secure.

An investigation revealed there was no actual threat.

Also last month, Ontario Provincial Police charged five tweens and teens with threatening schools on social media — part of a reported “spike” in online threats that followed a deadly school shooting in Florida in February.