Prince George RCMP investigate whether 2nd weigh scale arson and graffiti targeted at traffic officer

Yahoo

12 hours ago

The Prince George RCMP is investigating whether a suspected arson at a highway weigh scale was targeted at one of their own.
Police say they gathered evidence to suggest a fire at a Highway 97 North weigh scale Saturday night was intentionally set and found orange spray-paint graffiti located on a shipping container nearby that read, "Good job McCreadie."
It was the same orange spray paint and phrase discovered at a suspected arson that occurred on Dec. 24, 2024, at the Highway 97 South weigh scales, just outside the city.
Police are investigating whether these arsons are connected to RCMP Const. Keith McCreadie, a traffic enforcement officer who has received multiple awards for his work stopping impaired drivers.
"We believe there are links because of some of the graffiti that was left behind at both scenes. It reads, 'Good job McCreadie,' who is one of our traffic services officers," said RCMP media relations officer, Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
"We're kind of looking into what might have motivated someone to commit these acts of arson and how that's related to our traffic services officer."
While investigating the 2024 arson at the Highway 97 South scales, the RCMP said they believed it may have been related to several recent impaired driving investigations and that the graffiti and the arson are connected.
Const. McCreadie's Alexa awards
Const. McCreadie received an Alexa Award that year, which is given to officers who work to remove drivers impaired by either alcohol or drugs from the road either by an immediate roadside prohibition or a Criminal Code investigation.
He earned the top award for removing 152 impaired drivers from the roads throughout 2023.
"I think our investigative services team is looking into a lot of different areas that this could be related to," said Cooper.
"Const. McCreadie did happen to win the Alexa Award this year. He's won it several years in a row. We did talk about that, I think, right around the same time that this arson happened."
She says whether or not it's related specifically to any impaired driving investigations is yet to be determined.
Cooper said she could not comment as to why the weigh scales in particular were targeted as the investigation is ongoing, but is hopeful the public will be able to provide more information.
"What we're really focusing on is anyone that happens to be driving past the northern weigh scales just before the arson happened, maybe around 9:30 or 9:45 at night, or if anyone saw anything," said Cooper.
She says investigators are hoping that someone passing by that section of the highway might have dash camera footage that caught people or vehicles approaching or leaving the area in the time before the fire was reported to police.
"What we're trying to remind the public of is that it might not have seemed suspicious at the time, but anything that you might have seen could potentially move our investigation forward."
Commercial vehicle safety officers also concerned
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers — who are members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU — are also raising serious safety concerns over the two suspected arsons.
The union says the Highway 97 North site was closed at the time, and no CVSE officers were present during the incident, but in recent years, CVSE workers across the province have consistently reported their vehicles and worksites being targets of violent acts.
"Our union has been raising the alarm about the dangers CVSE officers face on the job, and this weekend's incident is another troubling reminder that the government must act urgently to improve safety and working conditions," said BCGEU president Paul Finch, in a news release.
The BCGEU is also asking the RCMP to enhance its investigative efforts and share findings transparently with affected workers.
"CVSE officers play a vital role in keeping our roads and transportation systems safe by enforcing commercial traffic laws," Finch added. "They should never be subjected to violence or put in harm's way simply for doing their jobs."
Police are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3321 to speak with an investigator.