NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – Police are getting a lot of support for their decision to close some major roadways after a standoff in New Westminster on Thursday and that city’s acting mayor agrees, calling it a matter of public safety.

The Queensborough Bridge as well as some nearby exits left some people stuck in a traffic jam for hours.

Acting Mayor Bill Harper says police needed to ensure no one was within shooting range. 

“Just think of what would have happened if somebody would have been shot in their car if the police had not cordoned off the area.”

Police also say they needed to maintain a calm environment while they negotiated with the suspect.

“Police were very cautious and their main concern is public safety that nobody gets hit by flying bullets and these things can go that far.”

Roads were closed for about five hours. Harper adds closures like this one are more common on the Pattullo bridge, and the steps they took in this case were appropriate.