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Following the tragic shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left nine people dead last Tuesday, authorities in Alberta are reporting a noticeable increase in calls related to individuals with weapons and subsequent school lockdowns. While officials are hesitant to draw a direct causal link, the surge in reports is considered unusual and suggests heightened public sensitivity in the wake of the devastating event.
The Alberta RCMP received four separate reports of people with weapons within the last week, prompting responses in several communities across the province. This uptick in incidents has led to increased vigilance and precautionary measures, including lockdowns and hold-and-secure protocols at schools in affected areas. The situation underscores the ripple effects of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy and the anxieties it has sparked among residents.
Reports Surge Across Alberta
According to Corporal Troy Savinkoff, an RCMP spokesperson, the frequency of these calls is “more than what is standard.” He emphasized that while a definitive connection to the Tumbler Ridge shooting cannot be established, it’s reasonable to believe the recent tragedy has contributed to increased awareness and reporting. “We certainly can’t disprove that the recent event in Tumbler Ridge has brought those sensitivities… Obviously, due to the recent extremely unfortunate incident, we’re trying to be accountable to that,” Savinkoff stated on Sunday.
The four incidents occurred in the southern town of High River, the northern city of Fort McMurray, the west-central town of Edson, and in Sherwood Park, a hamlet east of Edmonton. In Edson, police responded to a call where a suspect allegedly threw beef jerky at students while shouting Bible verses before discharging what turned out to be a cap gun three times in front of a school principal. The 39-year-old suspect, from British Columbia, has been charged with multiple offences, Global News reported.
Another incident occurred in Fort McMurray the day after the Tumbler Ridge shooting, involving a student who authorities believe had previously brought a weapon to school. While the student was not carrying a gun at the time of the report, an investigation is ongoing, and the teen faces several charges, including uttering threats. On the same day, a report of a person with a potential firearm in a Sherwood Park park near two schools prompted a lockdown, but was later deemed unfounded. Police believe the caller was mistaken, and did not intentionally mislead authorities.
A fourth call, made two days after the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, involved a report of a potential school shooter. RCMP believe the caller used software to disguise their voice.
Fear and Reporting in the Wake of Tragedy
Experts suggest the increase in reports is a natural response to a traumatic event. Adam Lankford, a professor and chair of the criminology and criminal justice department at the University of Alabama, explained that emotions following a mass shooting are often strong. “And in some cases, fear may be causing people to overreact or err on the side of caution… so they’re reporting more,” Lankford said. “Likely the answer is both.” He added that even though the probability of another mass shooting remains low, the fear within communities is high, akin to the response to natural disasters where the potential loss is significant.
Lankford also noted that Canada’s relative rarity of school shootings can amplify the shock and fear when such events occur, contrasting with the experience in places like the United States or war-torn countries. “If you live somewhere with the idea that this can’t happen here, and then it does, it can be kind of shocking to your world view.”
RCMP Encourages Vigilance and Reporting
The RCMP is actively encouraging the public to continue reporting any concerns about individuals with weapons without hesitation. “Early detection of these incidents is extremely important. It’s truly the type of file where seconds count,” Savinkoff said. He also acknowledged the emotional toll the Tumbler Ridge shooting has taken on the RCMP, noting that responding to the incident, despite it occurring in a neighboring province, has been difficult for officers.
As Alberta schools implement new safety audits following the events in British Columbia, CBC News reports, authorities are emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and proactive reporting to ensure the safety of students and staff. The province is taking steps to reassure the public that schools remain safe places for learning, while simultaneously addressing potential vulnerabilities.
The RCMP will continue to investigate all reports thoroughly and prioritize the safety of Albertans. The increased reporting underscores the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and communities to address concerns and prevent future incidents.
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