Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: RCMP tread fine line on sharing information about murders

Jul 24, 2019 | 5:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — THE RCMP CAN NEVER get enough information to the public fast enough when there’s a dramatic police event.

The double murder in northern B.C., the death of a third man and the disappearance of two teenagers has had the province in a high state of alert and tension.

It’s been barely a week and a half since Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese were shot and killed after their van broke down on the Alaska Highway. It’s been only five days since a burned-out truck belonging to teenagers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky was discovered south of Dease Lake, a seven-hour drive away. A man’s body was found nearby.

The story has developed quickly, and dramatically. From two separate investigations — one a double murder, the other a suspicious death and two missing young men — to the teens being regarded as suspects in the homicides.

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As is always the case in these situations, there’s an insatiable thirst for details, driven by the public’s fears and curiosity, and competition between media.

To listen to media questions at yesterday’s RCMP press conference, you’d think police have been sitting on their keisters. Information and updates have been coming in so fast that between this writing and the time you’re watching or reading this, the situation could have changed dramatically.

Of course, we all want to know more. We all suspect the police know a lot more than they’re letting on.

Indeed, there seemed little reason for evasiveness on some of the questions. But only the RCMP investigators know what factors make them reluctant to answer for reasons of not putting the investigation or future prosecution in jeopardy.

They’re doing everything right by providing frequent updates. For now, we need to give them time to do their jobs.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.