Latest news with #BCRCMP
CBC
27-06-2025
- CBC
School zones won't be 24/7, 'disreputable' websites are sharing misinformation: B.C. RCMP
Rules around school zones aren't changing on July 1, contrary to what some "disreputable websites" are claiming, says the B.C. RCMP's Highway Patrol. The posted speed limit in school zones is 30 km/h and is in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, unless the sign indicates otherwise, according to provincial law. Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said police have been receiving questions about "persistent rumours" that school zone speed limits across Canada will be in effect 24/7 starting on Canada Day. "These rumours are false. They are not true, but they are a bit sticky — especially on social media," he said. McLaughlin noted there are a few clues that indicate the rumours were never legitimate. One "red flag," he said, is that the rumour said federal laws were changing when traffic laws are mandated primarily by provinces. "And all of these complicated changes happening at once rather quickly – another red flag." McLaughlin said some police research showed a website in India appeared to be one of the early sources of the rumour, but it wasn't clear if it was repeating false information that was already online. He said social media and online artificial intelligence, including those found through search engines, are amplifying the misinformation. Harder to find facts, says misinformation expert Heidi Tworek, a professor and director for the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions at the University of B.C., said it's unfortunate but not surprising that AI could be misleading the public. As AI becomes increasingly common, it's harder to determine whether information is trustworthy or not, she said. And it's particularly concerning from a Canadian perspective, as the incident shows certain AI has not been programmed to prioritize more trustworthy sources such as government websites. "That really opens the door to more misinformation," said Tworek. She noted search engines like Google are frequently putting AI-generated answers at the top of search results. But Tworek added it's easy for bad actors to create a website — or 20 — with low-quality information, which is then harvested by AI. "If you put garbage in, you will get garbage out," she said. AI-generated search results summarize what exists online, but don't necessarily prioritize high-quality information, according to Tworek. She suggested scrolling past them to find direct, primary sources of information. Tworek also recommended asking a chatbot for its sources, particularly for important information like traffic laws. McLaughlin agreed. "Be thoughtful about what you're repeating, and if it doesn't seem like it's real and there are problems with the information, then don't repeat them," he said.
CTV News
15-06-2025
- CTV News
Person missing after vehicle plunges into Squamish River: RCMP
The District of Squamish is seen in this photo from First responders are searching for a person who is unaccounted for after a vehicle drove into the Squamish River early Saturday morning. Out of the four people in the vehicle, three were able to escape to safety, according to the B.C. RCMP. Search and Rescue volunteers, firefighters and police responded around 5 a.m. and tried to locate the vehicle and the missing person, but as of Sunday afternoon, neither have been found. The search effort continues and Mounties say they may provide more details 'at a later time.'
Global News
10-06-2025
- Global News
RCMP investigate homicide after young mother found dead inside Penticton apartment building
For the family of Alexa Knodel, her sudden and tragic death is very difficult to process. 'She was so young, had her whole life ahead of her,' said Ozwald Norris, Knodel's cousin. The Penticton woman, only 21 years old, was discovered dead in an apartment building in the 600-block of Lakeshore Drive over the weekend. RCMP confirmed Monday they were called to the apartment building in the early hours of Saturday morning after receiving a report of a shooting. When they arrived, police said they discovered a deceased woman with what RCMP described as a 'significant' gunshot wound. 'Penticton RCMP investigative services have taken conduct of the investigation and are actively investigating,' said Cpl. Brett Urano with the BC RCMP. 'The investigation is currently in the early stages.' Story continues below advertisement Knodel was a single mother of one. According to her family, her son Maverick just turned one last month. Norris described his cousin as the kindest person he knew and someone who loved children. She was a coach at a Penticton gymnastics club. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'She always tried her hardest to be better for herself and then when Maverick, her son, came into the world, she told me she would do her best to do whatever she could for him,' said an emotional Norris. 3:23 Memorial growing at scene of deadly Horseshoe Bay bus crash According to police, an arrest was made but the person has been released from custody. 'A person was arrested on scene but has since been released pending further investigation,' Urano said. Story continues below advertisement RCMP also said that the incident is an isolated case and there is no risk to public safety. Norris said the family is desperate for more answers. 'When we finally get answers we will just be able to piece everything together for us and allow us to properly grieve,' Norris said. Also grieving is Maverick's father. He and Knodel separated a while back but were amicably co-parenting their son, the father's sister told Global News. The little boy is confused by his mother's sudden absence. 'He knows there is something wrong and of course he sees all of us upset and crying but he doesn't really know what is going on,' said a teary-eyed Adeana Murray, Knodel's sister-in-law. 'He does say 'Mamma' and he knows she is not there, so that is obviously very sad to see.' A GoFundMe page has now been started to support the child and his father as they try and piece together how and why Knodel's life was brutally cut short. 'It's heartbreaking,' Murray said.
Global News
03-06-2025
- General
- Global News
Body of missing Merritt man found after he was last seen in March 2023
The body of a man missing from the Merritt, B.C., area since 2023 has been found, according to his family. Miguel Mack was last seen on Feb. 27, 2023, by his family and was reported missing on March 3, 2023. On March 1, 2024, BC RCMP's Southeast District Major Crime Unit said they believed Mack was a victim of a homicide. In a social media post on Monday, Mack's family members said his body had been found. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for,' the post read. 'We want to thank everyone who shared information, searched, prayed, and supported our family during this heartbreaking time. Your kindness and care meant so much to us.' Story continues below advertisement 0:42 Family of Miguel Mack maintain hope during search: 'We believe in the power of prayer.' They said funeral arrangements will be announced when confirmed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the major crimes unit tip line at 1-877-987-8477. No arrests have been made in the case and RCMP did not provide any details about where the remains were found.
CBC
31-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Business group 'cautiously optimistic' over $5M B.C. public safety program
British Columbia has launched a new $5 million public safety program aimed at reducing robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said the program is a "direct result" of feedback from police and the business community across the province. "We heard loud and clear what they wanted," Yung told Friday's news conference in Vancouver. "Street-level crime such as theft, robbery [are] undermining businesses and making it sometimes untenable for them to be around." Yung said the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on the work of the "highly successful" Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program, which is aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. WATCH | Retailers call for crackdown on street crime: Retailers call on government to address public safety crisis 2 years ago Duration 2:02 In Vancouver, he said the specialized investigation program contributed to a 27-per-cent decrease in violent crimes in the Hastings Crossing area of the Downtown Eastside and a 45-per-cent drop in violent assaults involving weapons in the Gastown neighbourhood. The minister said the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung said the money is "a start." The B.C. government will continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps, he said. "But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding," he said. "We can't just arrest our way out of crime ... We have to look at the undercurrents of what [is] causing this to happen." B.C. public safety officials are also "watching carefully" as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. "We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government," he said. A statement from the province said the program will provide police with "enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes." It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement said. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is "a step forward" and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is "eroding a sense of safety" in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. Mehat said the initiative supports a "combined response" to crime, including connecting people in crisis with supports. Bryan Tepper, the B.C. Conservative MLA for Surrey-Panorama and Opposition critic for community safety and integrated services, said he welcomed the extra funding for police, as a former Mountie himself. However, he questioned whether more funding for police alone would help address street crime, saying that more funding should have gone toward a court system that is struggling to process the high volume of cases coming its way. "They're not sentencing people to anything that is going to deter in the future, or that's going to help people with their ... drugs and addiction and mental health issues," he told CBC News, calling for bail reform to deal with repeat offenders. Retailers welcome program The general manager of loss prevention with London Drugs, Tony Hunt, also took part in the announcement, saying crime was "driving fear into families and workers" and threatening the viability of jobs and entire neighbourhoods. "Retail and service workers who make up the backbone of our country's labour force are facing aggressive behaviour, organized retail crime, and both violent and non-violent repeat offenders," he said. Retailers are "spending more than ever before" on security, he added. Hunt said he welcomed the province's new safety initiative as a "meaningful step forward" in supporting local efforts to reduce crime and build community safety. Kalith Nanayakkara, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that an average small business spent $5,000 over the last three years to deal with vandalism and street crime. "Last year, 57 per cent of small businesses in B.C. were impacted by crime in some way," he told CBC News.
