Prince George councillors want answers after RCMP monitor city hall meeting without their knowledge

Two city councillors in Prince George, B.C., are demanding answers after discovering that two RCMP officers were present at a public meeting at city hall without their knowledge. The incident occurred during a review of the city’s updated official community plan, which was open to public comment.

Coun. Trudy Klassen noticed the two individuals “sort of skulking in the back” during the meeting. She and fellow Coun. Brian Skakun approached city staff afterward to inquire about their identity, only to learn that they were two RCMP officers who had attended at the request of city staff due to safety concerns.

Klassen expressed feeling betrayed by the lack of transparency, questioning why mayor and council were not informed about the presence of the officers. She also raised concerns about the decision to allocate police resources to monitor a public meeting when there are ongoing issues of stretched police resources and unaddressed crimes in the community.

The meeting focused on the city’s official community plan, particularly the protection of greenspaces like Ginter’s Meadow, which has been a contentious issue. A group called Ginter’s Green Forever has been advocating for the preservation of these areas, emphasizing the importance of incorporating their concerns into the OCP.

Despite the passionate nature of the discussions at the meetings, Klassen stated that she has never felt intimidated by the attendees and believes that the presence of RCMP officers sends the wrong message. She expressed disappointment in how members of the public were treated as potential threats, undermining their faith in the government.

In response to the incident, an RCMP spokesperson explained that safety precautions are standard practice at large city events. A city spokesperson confirmed that the officers were present as a precautionary measure, not in response to a specific threat. The decision was made to ensure the safety and security of all attendees, though some members of the public felt intimidated by the presence of the officers.

Coun. Skakun expressed his dismay over the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, stating that it could erode public trust in city hall. Klassen echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the need for more clarity from city staff on the rationale behind involving the RCMP in the meeting.

As the city councillors seek further answers and transparency regarding the incident, the community remains concerned about the implications of police presence at public meetings and the impact on public trust in local government.