A car burns on Park Street early on Saturday, following what neighbours say is a fire-bomb attack. Photo Samara Sterling-Sakis
On Sunday the CKReview broke a story about a firebombing on Park Street. The story had many thousands of views in this publication and stirred a lot of discussion on social media about why no-one else covered the story and why no police statement was made to what is a big story locally.
The CKReview immediately placed a request with the chief of police for information that would include their confirmation of the event as well as possible reassurances there is nothing for residents to be concerned about. That request was in turn handed down to Renee Cowell, the media relations person at CKPS, who contacted the CKReview to say the incident is under investigation. She also said there was no reason for “bigger words” (re: firebombing), even when a resident described it exactly that way. Not any resident mind you, but the citizen photographer who was there at the time.
Other local media had no police report of the story until today. 72 hours after it was reported in the CKReview, the story is finally making its way to other news organizations. Even when provided with the name of the person making the report to the CKReview, there was no word that this ever happened except in the CKReview until today. That the competition to this publication had nothing about the story is another matter, one that does not concern us here.
What does concern us is the lack of response by the police and local politicians on this attack. Attached to the original story is a remark by the victim of the firebomb that when he finds out who did it, the real war will begin.
Apparently the CKPS have no concern for the worry in residents that they may be living in a potential war zone. Where is the mayor? Where is the police chief? On vacation? Getting fat? Too lazy or unconcerned that people are afraid?
The leadership is gone missing when residents needed them the most. Residents are left to their own imaginations and gossip to conclude if they are safe or not.
The chief of police and the political leadership of this city owe the public an apology for being missing in action. And yet it continues until today, no word that this is an isolated incident. Nothing from anyone that expresses any concern at all. Is it the neighbourhood? If this had happened on the street that the chief or the mayor lives on, would this be the response?
The audacity to say nothing speaks to the concern that the powers that be have for the people. Obviously you are left to decide for yourself and fend for yourselves. Those supposed to be doing that for you have turned their back on the public. 72 hours after it was reported in the CKReview the police make their first public statement Approximately $200,000 a year for a police chief that cannot reassure the citizens when a firebombing takes place is inexplicable and irresponsible. This municipality deserves better.
See also: Victim of firebomb reassures CK that no war is underway