For immediate release
September 24, 2001

Man charged in bomb threat
 
        On Wednesday, September 19, Belleville City Police arrested a man in connection with the bomb threat issued against the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board on September 13. Rene Boucher is set to appear in court on October 25, 2001 to answer charges in regards to his actions.
        "We have to commend the swift actions of the Belleville City Police in apprehending the man responsible for the bomb threat," said Audrey Carter, Chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.  "Our students deserve a safe environment, one which is conducive to learning. Although this threat was thankfully a hoax, this individual's action posed a serious concern for the more than 22,000 students and staff in our schools and required the implementation of emergency protocols at every school in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Therefore, the Board will be encouraging prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for this incident and any future threats of this nature."
        "As a result of the events of last week, both in the United States and within the District, we realize that we are living in a changed world - one in which we need to take more precautions," says Larry Langdon, Director of Education. Therefore, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has set up an internal working group to review an analyse the events of September 13 with the intent of recommending revisions to all threat, intrusion, and police, fire and emergency response authorities protocols to improve, wherever possible, the safety and security of students and staff.
 

For information contact:
Audrey Carter, Chair, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, 969-8208
Larry Langdon. Director of Education, HPEDSB, 966-1170 ext. 2257