Threats in schools: parents worry about their children

Since the end of May, cases have notably been listed in Toronto, Brampton, Exeter, Kenora and Petrolia, according to various police forces.

In all cases, the police had to arrest minors as a result. So far, no one has taken action.

We keep our fingers crossed, nothing’s happened, there’s been no disaster yetloose the president of the Parents partners in education (EPP), Paul Barrel.

However, he remains concerned about this proliferation of threats against schools and their impact on students.

I am convinced that there is debrief to do at home, parents must reassure their children, must explain to them what happenedhe laments.

Baril wonders if these kinds of threats are a cry for help from some young people struggling with mental health issues developed after two years of confinement and homeschooling due to the pandemic.

” Is this the beginning, the tip of the iceberg, which is appearing when it comes to mental health problems in our children? »

The president of EPP also indicates that he will ask the provincial government for more investment in schools to better support students.

The professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa Diane Pacom also believes that the pandemic has been a determining factor.

That said, she is rather of the opinion that these threats represent anger on the part of certain students who have not been able to go to school, their place of orientation and socialization.

It’s like a kind of emotional discharge, a discharge that captures the disappointment they have lived during these two and a half yearsshe explains.

Imitation effect after the Uvalde killing?

Criminologist and sociologist Maria Mourani wonders if this is an effect of imitation after the shooting in Uvalde in the United States on May 24.

If so, such threats would not be a new long-term trend, she believes.

” The imitation effect is never continuous, that is to say, it is like a peak, then it goes away quietly. »

The criminologist explains, however, that it is difficult to estimate the duration of a wave of imitation, since other factors come into play, including the state of mind of the author of the threats or his use of the media. social.

She adds that there is still not enough data to determine whether this is, on the contrary, the beginning of a new phenomenon on the increase or which will persist over time.

Police reactions

A spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) indicates that it is unable to reveal the number of calls received in connection with threats against schools.

By email, he explains that it is difficult to identify the different types of threat that could have an impact on schools.

A ‘threat’ can refer to a student making threats who is investigated but ultimately not deemed a threat to public safety, his spokesperson explains. word. Another threat can lead to a school lockdown for events that take place outside of a school.

The spokesperson also adds that the police force cannot venture on the reasons which could explain an increase or a decrease in the number of cases of a type of incident.

For its part, the Toronto Police Service also did not give a figure to the number of calls received, but added that there were several. both in written form and by telephone.

Toronto police spokeswoman says department refuses to come forward on why threats occur but says she takes these type of incidents extremely seriously.

The Peel Regional Police was able to reveal some statistics on the number of cases of threats in recent years.

His spokesperson says the police department compiled the list of calls they received involving high school addresses. He adds that the service is unable to specifically track threats directed at a school. Thus, the following figures therefore include all threats that have been made by one person to another or in relation to a school.

Peel Regional Police add that they are taking such calls very seriously and that ensuring public safety is his priority.