Police officers were at Lord Kelvin Elementary School Tuesday morning to reassure families they aren’t at risk after a suspicious incident in the area the day before.
Monday afternoon around 4 p.m., New Westminster officers were dispatched to the area around 10th Street and Fifth Avenue following a report of a “suspicious circumstance” involving a white van, according to a police press release.
The report said the van was “accelerating quickly in the area, leaving tire marks,” according to New Westminster Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Jeff Scott.
“At the time, it was unclear if there was a criminal offence or if it was a vehicle stunting. Because it was unclear what had happened, we closed the road to capture the roadway evidence,” he wrote in an email to the Record.
Investigators spoke to witnesses and collected video evidence of the incident. They have since determined no criminal offence took place and there is no threat to public safety, Scott added.
“Some social media posts seemed to exaggerate on what had happened, and we want to clarify any misinformation that may be circulating,” Scott said.
On Tuesday, officers with the police department’s child and youth resource unit (school liaison officers) were at Lord Kelvin to speak with parents and kids about the incident.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for any concerned parents to ask us questions, and for us to reassure them of their family’s safety. We strive to provide the community with the highest level of service,” Scott said.
