Burnaby to review approach to tent checks after RCMP officer's stabbing death
Burnaby’s mayor said the city will be reviewing the circumstances around Tuesday’s fatal stabbing of an RCMP officer to see if any changes need to be made when it comes to checking on tents.
For frontline staff in some cities, wellness checks in parks have become a regular part of their daily duties, and previous safety concerns have already led to a change in approach in one municipality.
Exactly what led up to the stabbing of Const. Shaelyn Yang at Broadview Park in Burnaby is under investigation. Sgt. Timothy Pierotti with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said she was responding to a call to assist.
"My understanding is that Const. Yang was asked to assist in a notification to him, that he was not permitted to be in the park," Pierotti said. "They weren't there to remove him at the time, they were just there to notify him of that."
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley described the park employee who was with Yang as "part of a team that goes out and looks at tents in parks...where homeless people are set up in public areas".
"It would be typical that they go together," he said. "Because usually the homeless people are known to our parks people...this RCMP officer was really experienced in this field. So they go together to try and assist the homeless person to find a different accommodation."
Hurley said his understanding is the city’s team had connected with the person in the tent before.
"We’ll be reviewing everything that happened and working with rcmp and our staff to review if changes need to be made," he said. "And they certainly will be."
In the neighbouring city of Vancouver, the approach to wellness checks on tents by park rangers changed just recently, with the park board citing safety as the reason.
Cupe Local 15 president Warren Williams, whose union represents park rangers and other city staff, said rangers are no longer supposed to open up a tent to look inside if there is no response, but can call police for assistance.
"My understanding is that park rangers are doing verbal checks," he said. "If the individuals in the tents are responsive, they ask a series of questions to make sure they’re OK."
A park board review of the safe operating procedure for staff carrying out such checks is ongoing. Williams said he expects what happened in Burnaby could also inform future approaches.
"I'm confident that they will be addressing it and will be looking at what else can be done here," he said. "To not only keep the park rangers and (police officers) safe, but members of the public also."
Hurley added the park employee who was with Yang is receiving help in the wake of Tuesday’s violent and tragic loss.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.