Killer on the Loose!

[violagirl]

I turned on the news last night just before I went to bed and discovered that there is a heavily armed guy in camouflage walking around my old neighbourhood. He killed 3 police officers and wounded a couple more. The entire city is pretty much closed today as they are still looking for him. All the schools are closed, buses aren't running, malls are closed. Completely shut down. 

This type of thing does not happen in small town Canada. Well, last time was 1974 or thereabouts. 

The difference this time is social media. Last time I looked 20,000 people were listening to the police scanner, the news chaser Facebook group I subscribe to has thousands of people clamoring to join. 

In some ways social media helped as people quickly responded to alert others to the armed guy walking around. He was also identified quickly. On the other hand, there is so much misinformation - people are seeing the guy everywhere. And police are trying to keep people from posting their positions obviously. 

Do you think social media helps situations like this? Hinders? Both?

One thing I DO know is the way I access news is completely different from say 9/11. That day we turned on the tv and watched the coverage. Today, I have Facebook group open, scanner on, two different TV station live feeds, and reading twitter updates from police and reporters. 

Not getting much work done though. 

[chiver78]

I didn't know you were from NB, violagirl! I've been following this story all day, I have a cousin who lives off Connaught with his family, just outside the lockdown perimeter.

we have a thread over on current events as well. link

I hope all your loved ones are safe.

[Deleted]

I wonder how many of these idiots would even be doing crimes like this if they weren't getting all the media attention.

[mollyanna58]

People moon the local live news reporter to get attention.  This guy is doing his best to avoid attention and get away.

There was a story recently about a newborn kidnapped from a hospital, and found within hours  due to people following the news story and finding the suspect's vehicle.

[violagirl]

NB doesn't make international news very often.. ok never. It is definitely an unusual day. 

Not that people don't have guns or use them here, it just is not usually randomly. As much as people complain about the RCMP, they don't wish them come to harm. 

I wonder about the people this seems to bring out of the woodworks. Is it really the day to put on your fatigues and take a stroll down a remote road? I realize people are seeing suspicious people everywhere, but there seems to be a lack of commonsense. 

[greeniis10]

Is the vast amount of media helpful or harmful in these types of situations?  Per your last post, Violagirl, I personally too believe the benefit of it is in direct relation to the amount of common sense one possesses.

[Tiny]

I think 'social media' hieghtens the entertainment aspect of this kind of stuff for the people who follow it.

Think about TV (I don't have cable) so 80% of the evening shows have murder/violence as the basis for the 'plot' - to make it worse it's usually violence agains pretty women and/or children. I personally find that we all happily watch shows (and then talk about them) with plots built around death (and or violence) and yet it's taboo to socially talk about death and/or violene in real life.

I think it's base human nature that makes us somewhat unconsciously curious and involved with this kinda stuff (especailly from the safety of our homes.) I'm not saying that people consciously tune into the violent news (or start following it intensely when they do hear about) with the thought "ooooo! something horrible has just happened! Entertainment!! whoo hoo!!! where's the popcorn and beer!!".

[violagirl]

It is true Rukh, it is coming up on almost 24 hours. I believe people are advised to have at least 72 hours of food etc in the house in case of emergencies. Also supposed to have an emergency evacuation bag. Which, well I bought a bag a couple years ago..I just don't really have anything in it. 

You apparently don't subscribe to my family's pantry motto. If you open the fridge and things don't fall out - you'd better go stock up. I could probably feed us for quite some time if I had to. Might run out of milk and eggs but you can make a lot of things with rice, quinoa and beans. 

[Tiny]

Jun 5, 2014 14:37:14 GMT -5 violagirl said:

NB doesn't make international news very often.. ok never. It is definitely an unusual day. 

Not that people don't have guns or use them here, it just is not usually randomly. As much as people complain about the RCMP, they don't wish them come to harm. 

I wonder about the people this seems to bring out of the woodworks. Is it really the day to put on your fatigues and take a stroll down a remote road? I realize people are seeing suspicious people everywhere, but there seems to be a lack of commonsense. 

Yeah, this.   

I live in a very urban area - miles and miles and miles of concrete - houses, business, etc.     The last tornado to hit the area was 70 years ago (when there only miles and miles of concrete).  Yes, we've had big wind gusts (that might tear the roof off a garage or house OR that might take a down a couple of tree branches) and we've had micro bursts (that effect a a few block area with roof damage, uprooted trees, alot of major tree branches down) but no house leveling tornados.    

Where am I going with this...   some of the older folks (and younger folks who should know better)  see the images of houses blown apart/completely gone from the tornados 100's of miles away on TV and all  of a sudden they are terrified of the big storms going thru.  They feel the fear that their nearly 100 year old brick bungalow is suddenly going to be blown off it's foundation and people are going to die.   

I'm NOT saying that during a storm - nothing bad can happen (it does, trees fall, roofs come off, electric lines come down, water backs up/floods).  I'm just saying our 4 square mile city with houses un top of houses surrounded by dozens of other suburbs of houses on top of houses probably ISN"T going to be leveled (like you see on TV)  by a tornado anytime soon.     And yet, that is what people start fearing when they are bombarded with the images of destruction many 100's of miles away. 


I'm sure if there were a 'gunman loose' in my area  there'd be plenty of people who suddenly start seeing him or can recount a run in they've had with him...

[violagirl]

I was surprised by the amount of people that are seriously scared. I was awake most of the night, but mostly because I'm nosy and wanted to know what was going on. But a few people I talked to even though they are miles and miles away from where a gunman on foot could get to in one night, didn't sleep a wink. 

Then there are the people that "see" the guy 100 miles away..seriously? That makes no sense. 

[toomuchreality]

Admittedly I have only read what's posted on this thread about this, but to me it isn't totally unfeasible for the guy to be 100 miles away, because it wouldn't be that hard to steal/hijack a car if he wanted to. I hope by now they have caught him.

When thinking emergency preparedness, don't forget pet food and meds.

Although it may not be exactly what I'm in the mood for, I'm sure I could get by for 3-4 days, with what I have on hand.