False alarm forces evacuation of Kelowna courthouse

KELOWNA – RCMP were taking no chances this morning when a suspicious package was found outside the Kelowna courthouse.

Police aren’t saying what they found however the courthouse and surrounding businesses were evacuated shortly after 9:30 a.m. today, Sept. 7.

There are currently two ongoing murder trials at the courthouse as well as the Prime Minister at a caucus meeting a block away at the Delta Grand Resort.

RCMP say in a media release the object was found on the grass along Water Street.

Const. Lesley Smith says they cordoned off a block around the courthouse to keep the public safe and allow police to investigate.

A Kelowna RCMP Police Dog was brought in and the area was deemed safe around 10:15 a.m.

“The item has been removed from the area and the displaced public have been allowed to return,” Smith says. “The item will only be described as non-dangerous in nature.”


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Adam Proskiw

Adam has lived in B.C. most of his life. He was born in the Caribou, grew up in the Okanagan, went to university on Vancouver Island and worked as a news photographer in Vancouver. His favourite stories incorporate meaningful photography and feature interesting, passionate locals. He studied writing at UVic and photojournalism in California. He loves talking tractors, dogs and cameras and is always looking for a good story.


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