Editor's note: This story was updated on Nov. 14 at 12:15 p.m. with comments from the Simcoe County District School Board.
South Simcoe police took a person having an apparent mental-health crisis near a Bradford elementary school into custody Thursday morning.
On Nov. 14 at about 9 a.m., officers received a call for what they've determined was a "mental health incident" in the area of Geddes Street and Crossland Boulevard, located in the north end of Bradford West Gwillimbury. This happened in the vicinity of Harvest Hills Public School.
The individual was not on school property. Nor did the incident involve students, staff or teachers.
According to the school's website, student arrival takes place between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m.
"The incident occurred before the start of the school day; however, some students would have been arriving at that time," Simcoe County District School Board communications manager Sarah Kekewich said in an email. "The school initiated a brief hold and secure while police responded to the community member in distress."
Hold and secure is a response to a threat or incident in the general vicinity of a school, where the doors are locked and no one is allowed to enter or leave the building.
Officers apprehended the person, who appeared to be in crisis at the time. The department says this is an isolated incident.
“Public safety is our top priority and South Simcoe Police would like to advise that there is no immediate risk to the public, or the students, staff and faculty of the school,” department spokesperson Samah Othman said in a media release. “The individual apprehended is currently being assessed for medical assistance and police remain in the area until the investigation concludes.”
