UPDATE: 8:00 am
According to the Okanagan Indian Band, two people were arrested following the Thursday night police incident that closed Westside Road for several hours.
The police have not yet commented on the incident, but the OKIB informed residents in a social media post that “everything is fine on the west side”.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATE 8.40 p.m.
According to a DriveBC report, Westside Road will be cleared of a police incident on Thursday evening at 8:40 p.m.
Drivers can expect delays due to traffic jams.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has not yet responded to any comment on the situation.
Further information follows.
CLEAR – Westside Rd. Now cleared of a previous police incident that caused a closure 35km north of #Kelowna. Expect delays due to congestion. #VernonBC #YLW #ArmstrongBC
– DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 11, 2020
ORIGINAL:
According to AIM Roads, Westside Road in Vernon is currently only one-lane changing traffic due to a police incident.
The incident occurred north of Parker Cove between Robins Nest and Marchbank Streets on Westside Road and an assessment is underway, AIM Roads said in a tweet shared at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 10th.
* POLICE INCIDENT * Westside Rd * CLOSED * between Robins Nest Rd and Marchbank Rd. Evaluation is ongoing. Next update at 4:15 p.m. @TranBC_OKS @DriveBC_TOK #VernonBC #WestKelowna #Kelowna pic.twitter.com/I55dkCpoJB
– AIMRoads (@AimRoads) December 10, 2020
The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) said in a post on Facebook that the police are looking for two people who have warrants for their arrest. It is not believed that there is a threat to public safety.
“Members, there is a police presence on Westside Road. There is no threat to public safety. RCMP is looking for two people with arrest warrants. We’ll update you when we know more, ”said the band’s post.
Social media reports say there are several police vehicles, including a K9 unit, and a helicopter is circling the area.
“We live 11 miles from Head of the Lake and the traffic in front of our house is completely stopped and the helicopter continues to fly overhead,” Karin Marshall said shortly before 4pm on Facebook
AIM Roads will release its next road closure update at 5:15 p.m.
“The road can be closed again at any time,” said AIM Roads in its last update at 4:45 pm. “Expect delays due to congestion.”
The Morgenstern has asked the Vernon RCMP for a comment. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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Brendan Shykora
PoliceRCMP
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