School, daycare closed as police investigate suspicious package in York Street driveway

NEWS/ POLICE — Kamloops RCMP evacuated a North Kamloops block and closed a nearby school and daycare this morning (Wednesday) after a suspicious package was reported in a York Street driveway.

The package was reported around 7 a.m. by neighbours of the home where it was left.

“At this point, we’ve cordoned the area, shut down the school and daycare, and we’re awaiting arrival of the bomb disposal unit from the Lower Mainland,” said Cpl. Cheryl Bush earlier today.

A police update on the situation was expected this afternoon.

There was no way of knowing when the school and daycare might be able to reopen, since that will depend on how quickly the unit can respond. It wasn’t known whether they were driving or flying.

On March 8, a pipe bomb was discovered in the same driveway between Eighth Street and Rupert Street. On Wednesday, police weren’t taking any chances. They were unable to determine the nature of the package from its appearance.

“It’s something that is in some form of bag,” Bush said. “I couldn’t get a close look at it. That’s the issue, too.”

Families of students at Bert Edwards School of Science and Technology were informed prior to the start of school after police consulted with the school district. School staff members were instructed to gather at Henry Grube Education Centre in the morning.

A passerby said it was not the second but the third incident involving police on the block in the past three months. There was an earlier home invasion as well, she said.