MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – More often than not, a little communication can go a long way toward avoiding causing unnecessary concern, says the Sundre RCMP detachment’s commander, after three area RCMP detachments responded to a possible active shooter situation southwest of Sundre on the Labour Day long weekend.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, the Sundre RCMP detachment received an emergency SOS alert from an Apple iPhone.
The alert advised police about a possible active shooter at a camping area on Crown land several kilometres north of the Burnt Timber Gas Plant off of Township Road 304 in Mountain View County, reads part of a statement issued by Sgt. Courtney Harding.
“The caller reported there were many people around the area and believed there was an immediate danger to campers in the vicinity,” reads part of her statement issued on Aug. 30.
“RCMP officers from Sundre, Didsbury and Olds responded to the incident with urgency as there was believed to be a possible active threat to human life.”
Upon arriving at the scene, police were able to determine that multiple people in two Crown land camping site locations had been discharging firearms over the course of a few hours that afternoon.
“An investigation commenced and police found all people responsible to be in lawful possession of their firearms. They were also deemed to be discharging their firearms in a safe manner,” the sergeant wrote.
“They were trying to do things as responsibly as possible, but there still was enough concern with people camping in the area that generated that kind of an SOS,” she told the Albertan.
“Of course we respond accordingly based on the information we’re provided.”
The incident that subsequently caused concern and prompted the priority response from emergency responders emphasizes the importance of communication, courtesy and responsibility on Crown land, which is a shared public resource available to all Albertans.
“This is especially important when in close proximity to other campers,” said Harding.
The whole situation could likely have been avoided “if they had gone across the way and discussed with other campers in the area,” she told the Albertan.
“It just boils down to that courtesy of letting people know what you’re doing and that everything’s okay,” she said.
“When you’re out there using Crown land, be courteous and communicate with one another … let (other people) know if there might be something that could cause other campsites concerns.”
The sergeant’s statement also included a reminder to the public that “an effective means of communication with emergency services in the event of an emergency is highly advisable when in west country areas with little to no cell reception service.”
