1 arrested, lockdown lifted at 2 Fenelon Falls schools: Kawartha Lakes OPP

One person has been arrested after an incident prompted OPP to initially place two schools in Fenelon Falls under lockdown on Monday.

In a statement issued at 12:50 p.m., the Trillium Lakelands District School Board said City of Kawartha Lakes OPP had placed Fenelon Falls Secondary School and Langton Public School in a lockdown for “public safety.” The schools are about one kilometre apart in the village located 25 kilometres north of Lindsay.

In a tweet, OPP Central Region asked the public to avoid the area of West St. South, Murray St. and Wychwood Crescent as they investigated reports of a suspicious person in the area.

The school board says a lockdown is a safety measure initiated when there is a threatening incident or threat of school violence in relation to a school. During a lockdown, all classrooms are locked so that staff and students are safe in their location, and no one is allowed to enter or leave the school.

“Police are investigating and more information will be provided when it is available,” the school board stated. “We ask that parents/guardians do not contact the school.”

Around 1:20 p.m., the school board stated the schools were now in a hold and secure, down from a lockdown. A hold and secure is when exterior doors are locked and classroom routines and lessons continue.

About two hours later, the school board announced the hold and secure at both schools had been lifted by police. Buses were on route but behind schedule, the board said.

“Our staff and students are safe,” the board stated.

Late Monday afternoon OPP said an arrest was made in the incident and that there were no threats to public safety. No details were initially provided on the arrest.

Police said more information will be provided when available.

More to come.