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RCMP in Nova Scotia apologized for conducting training exercises in Debert days before the sixth anniversary of the 2020 mass shootings in nearby Portapique.Â
The police told residents they would see an increased police presence in the area — as well as some noise — from Monday to Friday of this past week.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for some people connected to the 2020 tragedy.
“I was shocked, I was upset,” said Marie Benoit, councillor for District 9 in the Municipality of Colchester.
“I knew what would come of that and surely it did. I had dozens of messages and phone calls right into the evening from local community members and family members that had lost loved ones.”
In a Facebook post on April 13, Nova Scotia RCMP said the training was “carefully planned and controlled and is essential to maintaining both public and officer safety.”
‘This isn’t the first time,’ councillor says
RCMP have conducted similar training in the area over the years since the 2020 tragedy.
“They apologize, but that doesn’t mean anything because this isn’t the first time. I as well as many family members have been told it wouldn’t happen again and here we are.”
During one occasion, RCMP planned to conduct firearms training at the Debert Rifle Range. That event was cancelled after people in the area complained to the RCMP and their local MLA. Other exercises went ahead as planned.
“Six years later, we’re still asking to show compassion and sensitivity to those trying to move through the grieving process. And it feels like it continues to fall on deaf ears,” Benoit said.
Benoit is now asking the RCMP to put something in writing to ensure they will not plan more training exercises so close to the anniversary of the mass shooting.
“To me a verbal assurance is not enough anymore,” Benoit said. “I’m planning on writing a letter and hoping to put something through council and try to have something put in writing. I think that’s the only way it’s going to happen.”
A memorial to Heather O’Brien is seen along the road in Debert, N.S., on Thursday, May 14, 2020. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Kristen Beaton and her unborn child were killed by the gunman in Debert along with Heather O’Brien. Both were VON nurses. Twenty others were killed during the mass shooting in Portapique, Wentworth and Shubenacadie.
RCMP declined a request from the CBC for an interview but sent a statement saying they were “committed to doing our best to find an alternate time or location for this training moving forward.”
“We appreciate the concern and angst our training and presence in Debert this week has caused in the community. The hospitality centre in Debert accommodates the space and operational requirements for this mandatory tactical support group training, which prepares officers to protect Nova Scotians. The training must be held in spring and fall each year.”
Benoit said she doesn’t think it’s a lot to ask for “people to give us a couple of weeks in the month of April of just quiet time.”
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