UPDATE: 8:00 a.m.
Two individuals were arrested following Thursday night’s police incident that closed Westside Road for several hours, according to the Okanagan Indian Band.
Police have yet to make any comment on the incident but the OKIB informed area residents in a social media post that “all is well once again on the Westside.”
This story will be updated when there is more information.
UPDATE 8:40 p.m.
Westside Road is cleared of a police incident according to a DriveBC report at 8:40 p.m., Thursday night.
Motorists can expect delays due to congestion.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have yet to respond to comment on the situation.
More information to come.
CLEAR – Westside Rd. now cleared of a previous police incident causing a closure 35 km north of #Kelowna. Expect delays due to congestion. #VernonBC #YLW #ArmstrongBC
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 11, 2020
ORIGINAL:
Westside Road in Vernon is currently down to single-lane alternating traffic due to a police incident, according to AIM Roads.
The incident took place north of Parker Cove between Robins Nest and Marchbank roads on Westside Road, and an assessment is in progress, AIM Roads said in a Tweet shared at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.
*POLICE INCIDENT* Westside Rd *CLOSED* between Robins Nest Rd & Marchbank Rd. Assessment in progress. Next update at 4:15pm. @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 police are in search of two people with warrants for their arrest, adding it is not believed there is a threat to public safety.
“Members, there is a police presence on Westside Road. There is no threat to public safety. RCMP are searching for two individuals with arrest warrants. We will update you when we know more,” the band’s post reads.
Reports on social media state several police vehicles including a K9 unit are present, and a helicopter has been seen circling the area.
“We live 18km from Head of the lake and traffic is completely stopped outside our house and the helicopter keeps flying overhead,” Karin Marshall said on Facebook just before 4 p.m.
AIM Roads will provide its next update on the road closure at 5:15 p.m.
“Road can be closed again at any time,” AIM Roads said in its most recent update at 4:45 p.m. “Expect delays due to congestion.”
The Morning Star has reached out to the Vernon RCMP for comment. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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