Woodstock police and the Thames Valley District School Board are working to ensure the safety of students and staff at a local high school, near an area where a man was seen walking with a weapon twice this week.
Police were called to the area of Riddell, Hunter, and Graham streets around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday after a man was spotted with his hands in the air holding what appeared to be a knife. Officers arrived and arrested a suspect immediately.
A day later, a man was seen walking in the same area carrying a hammer. Police were again called and located a suspect.
A 26-year-old Woodstock man is charged with one count each of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failure to comply with probation order.
Both incidents happened near Woodstock Collegiate Institute causing concern for the wellbeing of students and staff.
"The Woodstock Police Service would like to ease concerns by confirming there is no evidence or reason for police to believe the school is a target for this individual and that staff and students are safe," police said.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call police at 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
