Management at McArthurGlen designer outlet mall went ahead with an evacuation on Sunday, despite being told by police there was nothing to fear.
More than 2,000 customers and staff at the outdoor mall near Vancouver Airport poured out of the shopping centre around 4:30 p.m. after the mall received an “unspecified threat” by phone.
Moments before the evacuation, which some shoppers described as “frantic,” Richmond RCMP attended McArthurGlen and quickly ascertained that the threat — which referenced an explosive device — was “unfounded.”
“We got a call from an employee at the mall about an unspecified threat,” said Richmond RCMP’s media spokesperson Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
“Police determined that the threat was unfounded, however the mall still decided to evacuate.” Callers to CKNW radio reported that people were running from the mall and a frantic security guard was telling them not to ask questions.
One shopper said, at first, everything was calm after security guards asked everyone in the stores and plaza to leave.
However, no reason was being given for the evacuation and, once people started heading for the mall exits to the parking lot, the situation apparently deteriorated with shoppers running to their cars not knowing what was going on.
The Richmond News asked McArthurGlen’s management why the decision was taken to evacuate, despite police giving the all-clear.
A mall spokesperson said that, “In incidents of this nature, McArthurGlen’s policy is to adhere to the strictest safety guidelines for their patrons, which in this case, involved a centre evacuation.”
A subsequent search of the mall was carried out by security staff and the all-clear was later given.
