Administrative staff at Penticton Secondary School (PSS) have sent out a letter to parents expressing safety concerns after a youth made a threat targeting an unsanctioned bush party.
Penticton RCMP have confirmed they are investigating a potential threat but did not release any other details about what the actual threat is.
“The nature of the threats was varied, so I cannot comment on specifics, only to say that this was immediately assigned to an investigator and remains under investigation, which includes direct interaction with the youths involved,” Penticton RCMP Supt. Ted De Jager said in an email to local media.
He also emphasized the party is not endorsed by the RCMP and that in fact, it’s considered dangerous.
“I would like to take this opportunity to advise parents of high school age children that this party is a very dangerous undertaking,” De Jager said. “The location is purposefully remote, is out of range of most emergency services and is a sensitive area prone to risk of fire damage. Over the last six to seven years, this party has directly resulted in one murder, several aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, numerous fights and assaults and high levels of intoxication in under age youth.”
In the letter from the school, PSS vice-principal Trevor Robinson tells parents that the RCMP brought the safety concerns to the school’s attention.
WATCH BELOW: A parent of a graduating student from Penticton Secondary School describes her concerns about an unsanctioned grad party which is being investigated by RCMP following reports of potential violent threats.
“The RCMP has contacted the school with concerns regarding tonight’s “Sunset Party” centering on unconfirmed information that non-high school students plan to attend the event and that may create an unsafe environment involving weapons,” Robinson said.
Dubbed the “Sunset Party”, Robinson goes on to tell parents that the gathering is not being organized by the school.
“Please note that the “Sunset Party” is NOT a school event and we do not encourage students to attend,” Robinson said. “In light of our meeting with the RCMP, we feel it is important that you are aware of the potential danger to your child. Community partnership is important in ensuring we collectively maintain a safe environment for all. ”
Global News reached out to the Okanagan-Skaha School District but only received a short email reply from the school superintendent.
“I cannot confirm that a threat has been made; this is something that the police are investigating,” superintendent of schools Wendy Hyer said. “As always, we caution parents about letting their children attend this event as there have been various safety concerns over the past years as many of the folks who attend are not graduates, but older individuals.”
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