No specific threat as some newspaper boxes ordered removed ahead of Vancouver events
Posted April 14, 2016 11:27 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – NEWS 1130 has learned the City of Vancouver’s order to newspapers to remove news boxes ahead of a series of public events is not connected with a specific threat. City Councillor Kerry Jang says this decision is being made for purely precautionary reasons.
The order relates to boxes near this weekend’s Vaisakhi Parade, the Sun Run, and an upcoming 420 event at Sunset Beach.
“The request is made by the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver city staff as security issues. As you know when there is a large gathering of people, things like newspaper boxes and other things can be used for no good or can cause damage to people.”
Jang references the way the boxes were used during the Stanley Cup Riot back in 2011. “It’s a precautionary move… so, we’ll work with the newspaper outlets to move those boxes and put them back when the parades are done,” adds Jang.
This comes after the Georgia Straight newspaper published an editorial outlining concerns it had about freedom of press and the costs of moving the boxes during tough economic times. It ended the article by speculating the City of Vancouver was concerned due to fears of terrorism.
