ROTHENBURGER: RCMP tread fine line on sharing information about murders
Slain couple are seen in this gas station video screengrab.
An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.
THE RCMP CAN NEVER get enough information to the public fast enough when there’s a dramatic police event.
The double murder in northern B.C., the death of a third man and the disappearance of two teenagers has had the province in a high state of alert and tension.
It’s been barely a week and a half since Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese were shot and killed after their van broke down on the Alaska Highway. It’s been only five days since a burned-out truck belonging to teenagers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky was discovered south of Dease Lake, a seven-hour drive away. A man’s body was found nearby.
As of this morning, the two suspects are believe to now be in northern Manitoba.
The story has developed quickly, and dramatically. From two separate investigations — one a double murder, the other a suspicious death and two missing young men — to the teens being regarded as suspects in the homicides.
As is always the case in these situations, there’s an insatiable thirst for details, driven by the public’s fears and curiosity, and competition between media.
Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
The environment of northern Manitoba in the summer is ruthless.
Make the people living there aware of the danger these guys pose. Let the black flies and mosquitoes persuade the fellows that being arrested and being taken into custody is a pretty good option at this point.
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