A local high school was placed in a hold-and-secure measure as a precaution Thursday afternoon, Feb. 15.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP investigated an undisclosed incident at Vernon Secondary School.

The hold-and-secure procedure is used by the Vernon School District when there is a cause for concern in the community.

鈥淲ithin a short period of time, the RCMP advised that the situation was under control and the additional precautionary measure of hold and secure was lifted,鈥� said VSS principal Lynn Decker in a message to parents. 鈥淪tudents continued with normal routine as per usual.鈥�

A hold-and-secure situation means any outdoor activities are moved indoors, and the school ensures students and staff do not leave the building, that all doors are locked and monitored by staff to prevent unknown people from entering the hallways.

Decker said student safety is the first priority in these situations, and she added there was no direct threat to the safety and well-being of VSS students. The RCMP and the school worked together to deal with the situation, she said, and everyone was safe at all times.

鈥淲e are proud to say all our students and staff responded appropriately and implemented the hold-and-secure in an orderly fashion,鈥� said Decker.