People are rightly outraged about that video (posted below) showing a woman stalking and tripping an 84-year-old Asian woman in Burnaby.
Aside from this terrible crime, I have two other issues that are seriously bothering me. First, the incident happened on April 3 on Central Boulevard near the Metrotown Skytrain Station. Why did it take so long for RCMP to get this out to the public?
We’ve seen time and time again, police agencies take enormous amounts of time getting the word out about crimes. This tripping happened nearly two months ago and we’re just hearing about it now. Isn’t it better to get information out earlier?
My second issue is about a guy seen at the top of the video. I’m not going to castigate him for not stopping the women who tripped the senior because it’s possible he didn’t see what happened. There’s a giant obstruction between him and the incident.
But that doesn’t excuse this man from not stopping and helping her. I think it’s clear from the video that he just walks right on by as this senior is sprawled out on the pavement. He doesn’t even wander over to see if she’s OK.
Sure, perhaps he walked back to her after the video cuts out, but he sure didn’t seem concerned about her as he walks by just a few feet away.
I’d like to think that most people would offer help when they see someone – especially a senior using a walker – on the ground. It’s not a good look.
Police have released a video of the incident in the hope someone will be able to help identify the suspect – a woman in a face mask with dark brown hair, carrying a beige purse and wearing black tights, a long, dark, puffy jacket and light shoes.
Burnaby RCMP has stepped up foot and bicycle patrols in crime hotspots across the city in recent weeks, according to the release, and police are asking the public to speak out and report crimes targeting members of the Asian community
Anyone with information about the April 3 incident is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at 1800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
