Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

Police group pushes back on B.C. roadblocks

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Apr, 2021 11:09 PM
  • Police group pushes back on B.C. roadblocks

British Columbia's solicitor general says the government will release details of what is considered essential travel later in the week as the province considers using roadblocks to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Mike Farnworth described the checkpoints as a type of "counterattack," often used to find drunk drivers, but this time meant to discourage recreational travel outside of a person's health authority.

His comments come as the National Police Federation released a statement saying it has "grave concerns" about police taking part in enforcing a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel.

A statement from Brian Sauvé, president of the federation, says asking the police to enforce roadblocks puts even greater pressure on limited resources and exposes officers to further risk and possible COVID-19 infections.

"Equally important, we are continuing to enhance and build on our relationships with vulnerable and racialized communities, and the ambiguity and potentially negative impacts of these orders risk reversing this progress," he said.

He also pointed to a similar attempt in Ontario where the province had to pedal back enforcement measures.

Officers were originally given powers to stop any pedestrian or driver to ask why they're out or request their home address. But on Sunday, Doug Ford's government limited police to being able to stop people who they had reason to believe were participating in an "organized public event or social gathering.''

Police forces in Ontario had said they had no intention of exercising their new powers ahead of the reversal.

Sauvé noted that police services took the "unusual step" of rejecting the orders.

"They explained in no uncertain terms that Ontario police officers had no appetite to act on enhanced powers that are typically found in police states, and that doing so would erode a currently fragile public trust, especially with vulnerable and racialized communities," he said.

The province reported 862 new cases of COVID-19 today and seven more deaths.

A statement says more than 1.4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered and people who are 30 years and older are eligible to register for the vaccine in the age-based vaccination program.

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver Police see large crowds during unseasonably warm weekend calling it a serious crime

Vancouver Police see large crowds during unseasonably warm weekend calling it a serious crime
“The downtown core and West End proved particularly challenging, as the summer weather drew thousands of Vancouver residents to public parks and beaches, while attracted large crowds from other parts of Metro Vancouver.”    

Vancouver Police see large crowds during unseasonably warm weekend calling it a serious crime

Balveer Singh Boparai charged in connection with arsons in Surrey last week

Balveer Singh Boparai charged in connection with arsons in Surrey last week
According to the RCMP, officers responded to the restaurant and quickly gathered enough evidence to identify a suspect and then officers dispersed throughout the area and patrolled for the suspect, who was located and arrested at a nearby bus stop. 

Balveer Singh Boparai charged in connection with arsons in Surrey last week

Vancouver Police identify Coal Harbor shooting victim as Abbotsford resident Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal

Vancouver Police identify Coal Harbor shooting victim as Abbotsford resident Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal
“We continue to believe this incident was a targeted killing and that Dhaliwal was the intended victim,” says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. “While we don’t think there is an immediate risk to the public, it is always shocking and unnerving when gun violence takes place in such a busy, public place.

Vancouver Police identify Coal Harbor shooting victim as Abbotsford resident Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal

Rivers surge as warm spell melts B.C. snow

Rivers surge as warm spell melts B.C. snow
High stream flow advisories have been issued for other central Interior rivers, including the Chilako and sections of the Thompson, with advisories extending north to Prince George and south to Cache Creek and Lytton.

Rivers surge as warm spell melts B.C. snow

Meng's team asks for delay in extradition case

Meng's team asks for delay in extradition case
Meng's legal team also says Canada's attorney general should launch an investigation into whether Meng was arrested based on inaccurate information and they are seeking an adjournment until such a probe is completed and the risk of COVID-19 subsides.

Meng's team asks for delay in extradition case

What do we know about the AstraZeneca vaccine?

What do we know about the AstraZeneca vaccine?
The NACI guidelines came about as Canada and other countries investigated possible links to rare instances of blood clots seen in a small minority of AstraZeneca recipients.

What do we know about the AstraZeneca vaccine?