Toronto and Peel police are currently working with the University of Toronto after threats were made against the school on an online public forum.
The threats, made on an anonymous public blog, were confirmed by the university in a release issued Thursday.
“We take these threats very seriously and want to ensure that we have a safe campus community,” University of Toronto vice-president Cheryl Regehr said in the release.
“We have increased campus police presence on our three campuses, and we are monitoring the situation closely. We are following the advice and direction of Toronto Police Services with respect to their expert assessment of safety on campus. We will continue to monitor the concern with Toronto Police Services and provide updates to the community.”
While the release from the university does not provide details on the nature of the threats, a release issued by CUPE Local 3902 – which represents academic staff – said that the threats ‘were made specifically toward women and feminists.’
“We can also add that the threats specifically encouraged violence and target our members in the workplace,” the release reads.
“Specifically mentioned are those working in sociology and women’s studies classrooms. The wording and context of the threats are beyond abhorrent.”
In an email to CP24 Thursday night, a school representative said that the university had ‘consulted experts in risk assessment.’
“(The experts) have advised that the online threats indicate a low risk of violence,” media relations spokesperson Althea Blackburn-Evans said.
“The low risk is consistent with the advice from Toronto and Peel police services.”
The school is taking the threat ‘very seriously,’ Blackburn-Evans said.
Toronto police said Friday that "no credible threats" have been identified.
Anyone witnessing suspicious activity is asked to contact police at 911 or campus police.
