Tag Archives: RCMP

Energy, Indigenous Nations

‘You will be arrested’: Coastal GasLink security denies Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief access to monitor project construction

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Under an early November snowfall, a tense standoff slowly unfolded between Coastal GasLink security workers, RCMP and Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’moks.

“If you pass this gate, sir, my understanding is that you will be arrested by the RCMP,” a pipeline security guard told the Chief and his supporters. He was standing in front of a yellow gate across the access road to where the company is drilling under Wedzin Kwa (Morice River) about two kilometres away.

Continue reading ‘You will be arrested’: Coastal GasLink security denies Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief access to monitor project construction →
Justice

More Chaos, Less Patience – qathet has a serious crime problem

Originally published on qathet Living

By Isabelle Southcott

More than most, Debbie Dee’s words hold weight on issues affecting marginalized locals. So when she stood at the lectern at the Evergreen Theatre on September 14, the 200-plus people who had come to discuss solutions to the escalating crime issue listened intently. Debbie has been executive director of the Powell River Brain Injury Society since 2003. She was a Powell River city councillor from 2008 to 2014. In her speech at the meeting, she revealed that last year, she lost her step-son, Bodie, to a fentanyl overdose. 

Debbie was very clear: Powell River’s support system for struggling people isn’t working. It’s not working for people with addictions, mental health challenges and sometimes brain injuries. It’s not working for the wider community, who have to live with theft, vandalism, and fear. 

Continue reading More Chaos, Less Patience – qathet has a serious crime problem →
Justice

RCMP are frustrated, too 

Originally published on qathet Living

At the RCMP Detachment on Barnet Street, the phones ring all day and night Police officers get an average of 18 calls a day asking for service – many of them reporting new Criminal Code violations that they want addressed. 

In qathet in 2021, there were 1,655 crimes reported. Many categories of crime are up over 50% in four years. They include assaults, break and enters, criminal harassment, possession of stolen property – crimes that appear in Isabelle Southcott’s main story. 

Continue reading RCMP are frustrated, too  →
Fire

Hiway Hippy’s home burns down

The home of one of Cortes Community Radio’s most popular DJ’s burned down on Friday, September 20. Hiway Hippy had been living in a 38 foot long trailer at Breezy Bay Farm, on Saturna Island, since December. An RCMP investigation determined that the fire was caused by a short in the electrical system.

“I had the RCMP come. I thought it was suspicious. There was an explosion. It blew a hole in my hat, and it blew the glasses off my face. So I immediately thought ‘arson,’ but the RCMP fire inspector walked me through his inspection and explained everything to me. He told me that 90% of RV and trailer fires happened because of a short in the electrical,” explained Hiway Hippy.

Continue reading Hiway Hippy’s home burns down →
Environment

Site C a ‘horrible neighbour’

By Tom Summer, Alaska Highway News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Old Fort residents aired their concerns to BC Hydro last month about its shortcomings mitigating the impacts of Site C dam construction on their community, but the town hall ultimately did more harm than good, says the chair of the Peace River Regional District.

Brad Sperling, who also represents Area C which includes the riverside community downstream from the dam, attended the July 29 meeting in Fort St. John, and caught BC Hydro misleading residents by falsely claiming a community measures agreement had been made with the PRRD, offering compensation to residents.

Continue reading Site C a ‘horrible neighbour’ →