If you are a member of the Mission RCMP, you probably have to consider the tragic events of the past week an ugly coincidence.
Or maybe a case of bad timing.
Just one week after Insp. Ted De Jager stood in front of a large crowd of community members and told them Mission is a “safe town,” two bodies have been discovered – one confirmed a homicide and the other deemed a “suspicious death” – and turned over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
While there is never a good time for a homicide investigation to occur, two so closely together, and right on the heels of the public police forum, has to be considered unfortunate.
It’s likely that the public is now wondering if the community is indeed safe.
However, despite the timing of these two tragic events, the inspector’s observations are still valid.
According to RCMP statistics, only four per cent of all crimes in Mission are considered to be violent and De Jager has stated that random acts of violence are rare in this community.
Yes, there are thefts and break-ins but violent attacks are few. In all likelihood, these deaths – disturbing as they are – will prove to be a statistical blip.
Crime is an issue, but Mission residents should be more worried about their property than their physical well-being.