RNC says text alert about armed standoff wasn't needed because there was no immediate danger
Parade was cancelled to mitigate risk to people downtown, say police
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says it didn't use a mass text alert to warn the public about an armed standoff in downtown St. John's — at the time the annual Christmas parade was scheduled — because there wasn't an immediate danger to the public.
RNC media relations officer James Cadigan said mass text alerts, which he referred to as "intrusive alerts," are only used when certain criteria are met. Sunday's standoff didn't meet the criteria, he said, but the parade was cancelled to mitigate the risk to anyone downtown.
"When we're responding to a weapons offence, we're looking to communicate to individuals inside a property," said Cadigan on Monday. "With limited communication and limited information, we're unable to really predict as to how long an event will play out."
Cadigan said police received multiple reports around 6:30 a.m. Sunday of gunshots heard in the Brazil Street area and were told there could be an armed person in the area.
The police blockaded the area, including surrounding streets, and contained the residence where the alleged armed person was.
Multiple homes were evacuated in the area, including those of the adjacent neighbours.
By then, Cadigan said, police had already implemented its public safety plan, which had to be co-ordinated with tactical teams arriving at the scene.
RNC officers attempted communication with the occupants of the contained house via a cellphone provided by police, and eventually three arrests were made.
In making the decision to cancel the parade, Cadigan said, the unpredictability of the situation was a factor. Although police believed there was no immediate danger to the community, he said, there was still a significant enough risk that they decided to evacuate the downtown.
Cadigan said the RNC decided just before 11 a.m. to call off the parade, and the City of St. John's and business association Downtown St. John's were informed shortly after.
Gaylynne Gulliver, special events manager for Downtown St. John's, said the organization had an emergency plan in place should something arise. As soon as they heard the news, event organizers began to clear the downtown area.
"The main concern was to not have anybody else come downtown, stop the shuttles, and get the people who were there already back to the shuttles and return them home." Gulliver said Monday.
Three people are in custody and the investigation is ongoing. Cadigan said the RNC is awaiting judicial authorization to search the Brazil Street property.
The parade has been rescheduled for Sunday.
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With files from The St. John's Morning Show