A male youth is facing several charges after making threats toward students and staff at a school in Oshawa.
On February 5 at approximately 1:55 p.m., Durham Regional Police responded to a threatening call at Harmony Heights Public School located at 590 Galahad Drive. A male youth contacted the school via phone and made threats toward students and staff. The school was put into a hold and secure as officers arrived on scene. Officers evacuated the school while searching the building for any threats. Once the school was cleared, police and staff supported a staggered release of students as per hold-and-secure protocol.
Investigation revealed the threat was made by a student at a different school. The youth was taken into custody without incident.
A 14-year-old male from Oshawa is charged with uttering threats, mischief, common nuisance, public mischief, convey false information, and criminal harassment.
He was released on an undertaking.
While the call was false, the consequences were very real.
A threat of this nature triggers an immediate, large-scale police response. Dozens of officers, specialized units, emergency partners, and critical resources are deployed without hesitation.
Beyond the financial impact, these incidents divert officers from genuine emergencies—situations where someone truly needs help. They create unnecessary fear in schools, anxiety for students and staff, and distress for parents who trust that their children are safe.
DRPS asks all parents and guardians to speak with their children—no matter their age—about the seriousness of making false threats. These calls have lasting consequences, including potential criminal charges, school discipline, and long-term impacts on a young person’s future.
