VPD explains why still no charges in Stanley Cup riot
Posted Aug 17, 2011 12:03:32 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver’s chief of police says to be patient, charges are coming. Jim Chu is explaining why no one has been charged two months after the Stanley Cup riot downtown.
He admits he’s frustrated the hundreds of people who rioted aren’t in jail right now, and says it will be awhile before that happens. “It will take months before all of the evidence is processed and we are ready to make arrests.”
His message is it’s better to do it right than to do it quickly and the VPD is using video analysis experts in Indianapolis to help them sift through all of the evidence. They’re also setting up a website to keep people updated on where they are in the investigation.
The BC NDP argues with no charges two months since the city burned, it means there’s a there’s a break in the chain of command between the VPD, the Crown, and the province.
Why have charges been laid in UK’s riot, but not Vancouver’s?
More than a thousand people have been charged in the UK riots but not a single person has been charged in Vancouver after the chaos following the Canucks‘ loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
VPD Staff Sergeant Lee Patterson used to work in England. He says the UK is plagued with a number of social issues Vancouver doesn’t have and there are criminal code differences that allow their courts to process criminal cases faster.
He adds there’s also a difference in manpower.
“So, when we hear of one city like London putting out 16,000 officers in full riot gear, it should start to resonate that they can arrest a few hundred more people than we did.”
Patterson says the use of closed circuit TVs throughout London also helps them process evidence faster.
Christy Clark responds
Christy Clark admits she’s frustrated by the amount of time it’s taking to land charges.
The premier says like most she’s still angry about the violence on June 15 but she trusts the VPD is doing its best in the investigation.
“They’ll put some really solid evidence together so that when charges come forward to the Province, we can do our bit. But, you know, we’re waiting.”
Clark points out it’s not in her control but she’s eager to see the VPD recommend charges and she says the Crown will move quickly when all that evidence is processed.
She is also hoping those who are found guilty of taking part get more than a so-called “slap on the wrist.”
NDP Leader Adrian Dix says the premier shouldn’t be surprised by the slow process.
“Three weeks before the riots, the government laid off staff in our court system, and then the riots happened and then the tone change, and I think what we need is a serious government that doesn’t operate by photo-op.”
