Halifax regional councillor for Bedford-Wentworth, Jean St-Amand, has been contacted by worried constituents regarding the police’s handling of informing the public about an armed individual in the vicinity over the past weekend. St-Amand mentioned during an interview with CBC Radio’s “Information Morning” that he learned about the situation at the same time as the general public. He noted that some residents in the immediate area had observed police activity and an increased police presence, posting about it on social media before the official alert was issued.
On Saturday, an emergency alert was issued to residents in Bedford, N.S., advising them to secure their homes as the police conducted a search for the individual following a shooting incident in the Annapolis Valley. Subsequently, a broader alert was sent out 30 minutes later. The man, identified as Ryan Alexander Cole, 36, was later apprehended. Cole appeared briefly in Digby provincial court on Monday, with his case adjourned to August 25, while he remains in custody.
St-Amand expressed his intention to hold a post-incident discussion with the city’s chief administrative officer to review the events of Saturday concerning the emergency alert timeline. He emphasized the importance of understanding the coordination between the alert system and responding officers at the scene, acknowledging the likelihood of local awareness preceding official alerts in such situations.
According to Cpl. Mandy Edwards of the RCMP, various factors determine the distribution of alerts. The initial alert on Saturday was localized around the area where the suspect was last seen, as he was believed to be on foot after crashing his vehicle. When it was established that he had not been located, a comprehensive alert covering all Halifax Regional Municipality residents was issued.
Edwards highlighted that alerts aim to inform individuals about ongoing incidents and provide necessary instructions. Due to space limitations in alerts, detailed descriptions may not always be feasible. Police also utilize social media and traditional news releases to disseminate information to the public effectively.
