After the third swatting incident in a week at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg, parents are saying more information needs to be released faster.
Today’s Northumberland spoke with one parent outside the school on Monday, April 20, 2026 just after a hold and secure was lifted.
“I think the lack of communication from the school is absolutely unacceptable,” said the parent who asked their name not be used.
Many students contacted their parents shortly after the third hold and secure was issued, but a release from the school board didn’t come out till over an hour after the incident.
After the third incident, “you’d think they’d have their protocols refined and more technology put in place to make sure the parents are properly informed.”
The parent said they were notified by their child instead of the school in all three incidents.
“I think it’s a very easy fix. Immediately when the school goes into a hold and secure or a evacuation there is an email, a text, a phone call or any sort of communication.”
The parent said it’s very frustrating being outside the school for approximately 45-minutes with no communication.
“To be here on the scene before the school communicates anything is a failure on the school.”
The first bomb threat last Monday was more concerning for a number of reasons.
The teacher left the classroom for approximately 30-minutes.
“There was a classroom of students who were left in the dark as to what was happening. They couldn’t leave – no one could enter and they had no adult in the room.”
Friday was a PA day so the parent understands the lack of communication.
“But today there was no reason why parents weren’t immediately informed.”
With four swatting incidents during the past week in Cobourg, the parents wonders how police are investigating the threats and worse case scenario – will they continue?
“And how will it be remedied to differentiate between a real and perceived threat moving forward?”
During last weeks swatting incidents, firefighters and paramedics were on standby near the school.
On Monday, there were no visible presence of either.
During the first incident, St. Mary principal Jill Barker issued a statement saying that both Cobourg
Police and the Ontario Provincial Police conducted a “thorough sweep” of the building and ultimately cleared it.
Although the statement was made by the Principal the school board directed questions to the Cobourg Police.
“Was there a canine called? There is roughly 1,000 lockers in this school, and who knows how many bathrooms and other places that a bomb could be hidden so are they deploying the proper resources?”
Adding that in today’s incident, “to see cops coming out of the school with loaded long guns emptying their casings right in front of the school is another element of unacceptability.”
Video – Third Swatting Incident Reported at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
