Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Early Friday morning, Norman Wells detachment members responded to the serious situation of a man with a gun. After 40 hours of emergency action, police were able to defuse a stand-off in a local residence and apprehend a young man before he could commit harm to others or himself.
This was a very serious situation that involved RCMP specialty teams from Yukon and Alberta, as well as our own “G” Division and all the hard-working members of the Norman Wells detachment.
There was excellent co-operation from all members to ensure safety of the public, the officers and the young man.
In order to ensure public safety, emergency personnel acted proactively to secure the area and provide information to residents. The residential area was evacuated while the police conducted negotiations with the individual.
As a precaution the local school kept children inside and asked parents to pick up their children at the school so they would not be walking home.
This was yet another reminder that serious threats to public safety can occur in any community. As elected officials we must continue to find ways to ensure the safety of our families, our homes, our streets and our communities.
I would like to extend my heartiest thanks to the brave men and women who risk their lives in the line of duty to deal with violence and dangerous situations in our communities.
The RCMP officers’ training and dedication ensured the prompt and professional handling of a serious incident. I am proud of the work they do.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
