Police arrive armed, evacuate neighbourhood in response to fake call

WEST KELOWNA – A call to RCMP last night leading to a full-scale armed response was deemed false.

Mounties say the call they received at 5:22 p.m. described a very serious situation, allegedly taking place in the 900 block of Stevenson Road. Armed officers arrived to tackle an event they believed to be a high risk to public safety. They contained the residence and evacuated neighbours. The Southeast District Emergency Response Team was called to the scene and entered the house, clearing it without incident. But nobody was inside.

Though investigators are relieved nobody was injured in the incident, Const. Kris Clark says police are very disturbed at the complete disregard for public safety.

"Whenever police receive a false report, especially of this nature, it diverts police and other emergency personnel and potentially delays response to legitimate emergencies," Clark says.

The investigation into what police say is public mischief continues.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca, call 250-718-0428.