Dear Editor,
Re: “Gang shots spark questions,” News Aug. 26.
To clear the confusion, I wish to clarify what happened in the follow-up to the shooting incident in the Dover Park area in August.
After the incident occurred late in the evening on Friday, Aug. 21, primary response quickly took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, Richmond RCMP issued a media release to advise of the incident which was under investigation. This release was also sent to members of city staff and council. Social media also quickly broadcast word of the situation.
Throughout the early hours of Saturday morning, city staff were in constant communication with the RCMP. Together, they made arrangements to provide parking for residents whose normal parking access was temporarily restricted during the investigation.
Staff and the RCMP also worked together with some of the elected officials to move a community event planned for Dover Park around midday Saturday.
The RCMP followed their normal protocols for keeping key city officials notified during major crime incidents. They also kept the public informed through media releases and other communications as the situation unfolded.
A formal press conference was held on Sunday to disclose further information.
In any criminal incident, the RCMP must first secure the safety of the public and first responders. At the same time, the RCMP must protect the integrity of their investigation so that they will ultimately bring those involved to justice.
Timely communications to the public and other stakeholders must be conducted within those parameters. In reviewing this chain of events, I am convinced that the RCMP’s communications with key stakeholders including the public, city staff and elected officials, were handled most appropriately without compromising public safety.
Malcolm D. Brodie
Mayor
