There was a heavy RCMP presence in the Bessborough Avenue area of Moncton Wednesday afternoon as part of a police operation that also prompted lockdown procedures at two schools.
The incident began around the noon hour, and about an hour later, RCMP updated the situation to say they had “determined that there was nothing criminal in nature that took place.”
RCMP initially asked people to avoid the area, but stressed that the situation did not meet the criteria for an Alert Ready message.
Fire crews were also on scene and yellow police tape cordoned off a large area.
In a message sent to parents and families, the Anglophone East School District said Bessborough and Hillcrest schools went into lockdown “out of an abundance of care and caution” at around noon due to an emergency operation in the neighbourhood.
At the same time, Bernice MacNaughton High School enacted hold and secure procedures.
“Students and staff are safe and there have been no injuries. We are continuing to communicate with the RCMP and will provide an update as we receive more information,” wrote superintendent, Randolph J. MacLean.