The Grey-Bruce OPP are still light on details regarding a weapons complaint that turned into a heavy police presence and a hold-and-secure situation in Meaford on Sept. 4.
When contacted by CollingwoodToday on Wednesday night with a series of questions about the incident, OPP Const. Krista Linthorne responded on Thursday morning to say no one had been taken into custody as a result of the incident.
“We are seeking tips to assist us in our investigation and to confirm legitimacy,” she wrote in an email. “The hold and secure was put in place as a precaution.”
A follow-up request to Linthorne asking for a phone interview was not returned by publication time.
However, another release put out later in the day noted that on Aug. 27, police responded to a weapons call indicating that four to five gun shots were heard near the Victoria Village area on Victoria Street. At approximately 1 p.m. on Sept. 4, the OPP received another weapons-related call, indicating that several gun shots were heard from a bush area, also near the Victoria Village area.
On both calls, officers set up containment of the area and the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the OPP Canine Unit assisted with the investigation. No persons or evidence was located during the search and containment.
On Sept. 4, Grey Bruce OPP sent out a news release saying it had received a weapons complaint on Victoria Street in Meaford and a hold-and-secure was set in motion.
Early in the afternoon on X (formerly Twitter), the OPP said it was asking residents in the area of Victoria Street, Ridge Road, Susan Street and St. Andrews Drive to remain in their homes and to avoid the area until further notice.
About an hour later, Georgian Bay Community School sent out an email to local parents notifying them that the school is in “a hold and secure situation as directed by the OPP.”
At about 4:45 p.m., the OPP advised the public through X that the hold and secure had been lifted.
In the most recent release, OPP said they will continue to make extra patrols of the area. Officers and auxiliary members will be out on Sept. 7 and 8 to canvas the neighbourhood for witnesses and video surveillance.
Police have asked anyone who has information or was in the area of Victoria Street on Sept. 4 at about 1 p.m. and saw or heard anything to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca.
