Banded Peak School in Bragg Creek was evacuated shortly after 10 am this morning (April 11) after consulting with the RCMP and Rocky View School District regarding a threat toward the school that was printed on paper received yesterday (April 10).

Constable Kary Moore, shares RCMP assisted with evacuating students from the school to the Bragg Creek Community Centre while they investigated the incident. "We attended the school and determined the threat to be false. The RCMP were in constant communication with the Rocky View School District Administration and the staff at the Banded Peak School during the evacuation."

This is the second time this school year that a school has been evacuated or lockdown precautionary measures have been taken in the Cochrane area. On October 26, Cochrane RCMP investigated calls that there was a shooting at Springbank Middle School. Springbank School was evacuated after receiving threats which were also determined to be false.

Cst. Moore stresses parents need to have a conversation with kids about the seriousness of incidents like these. "The RCMP encourage all parents to speak to their children about the consequences of making false threats and to encourage their children to come forward in regarding this threat."

Moore doesn't want parents to hit the panic button when it comes to today's event. "We definitely take them seriously, and we do. We move as quickly and safely as we can and to not alarm people unnecessarily and determine the validity of the threat. Parents should not panic, in today's scenario, the students did very well and exactly what they were told."

It is not overly common for schools in our area to receive threats and Moore adds most can be dealt with behind the scenes. "A lot of times we can determine right away who's made the threat and it can be investigated and found to be false before the schools are evacuated or locked down and the people involved spoken to with their parents.

Moore states no one was hurt in the incident and the threat is still being investigated. No charges are anticipated at this time but in cases like these, RCMP can charge those involved. "It is dependent on each incident but absolutely changes could be laid against anyone found to be responsible. We want to make sure everyone is safe and whoever did the threat learns, and never does it again. Ultimately that's our goal."

Banded Peak has 280 students and a letter is being sent to all parents and caregivers of those that attend the school.

If you have any information regarding this incident or any other crime contact the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.