The Mayor of Mount Pearl describes news of numerous violent incidents in the city over the last number of weeks as “rattling.”

A secure school protocol was enacted at St. Peter’s Junior High in Mount Pearl yesterday in relation to what NL Schools calls “an active investigation by RNC.” Officials say the protocol was enacted, not due to concerns for the safety of students or staff, but to establish privacy.

RNC Constable James Cadigan confirms a number teens have been arrested following reports of robberies and violence resulting in injuries.

Chatter on social media concerning a spike in violent crime involving young people references the so-called ‘Mount Pearl Death Squad.’

Cadigan won’t comment on the name, but says in two cases, reported to have occurred on January 16th and 17th, the attacks appear to have been random.

He says those who suffered injuries are not linked or known to each other and the attacks appear to be random. However the alleged perpetrators appear to be linked.

Mayor Dave Aker encourages everyone, especially parents, to talk with their kids and to report any potential dangers to police.

He says they’d like to think that the incidents are an exception, but they can’t make assumptions about anyone’s safety. He encourages people to be vigilant, and asks them to pass any information along to RNC.