ROTHENBURGER – Instant community response to Parkcrest fire is inspiring

Some came out of curiosity but most simply want to help any way they can

LATE FRIDAY, THE GAWKERS were still showing up at Parkcrest Avenue wanting to get a look at the gutted remains of the elementary school destroyed by fire the night before.

Some tried lying their way past the barricades, telling security they lived on the street across from the school and needed to get home. It got so bad that authorities clamped down, allowing only nearby residents, credentialed media and, of course, police and emergency personnel access. Drivers licences were checked to confirm the addresses of genuine neighbours of the school.

We humans are hard-wired to be attracted to bad news. That’s why there are so many negative headlines and bad-news stories in the media.

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Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC, 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.