White powder, courthouse 'wake-up call' prompts discussion about public safety

Saskatoon businesses have started revisiting their emergency plans as a series of white powder scares and an explosion outside the courthouse spark discussion about public safety in the city.

Four packages containing white powder have been delivered to separate locations across Saskatoon since Monday, bringing the total number of suspicious package deliveries in March to six.

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​On Wednesday, a homemade bomb exploded outside the city's provincial courthouse. Police say there is no evidence to connect the bomb and the white powder scares.

Businesses seek emergency advice

Dave Arnott, a member of the Saskatchewan Emergency Planners Association management team, said his group had been receiving more calls after the incidents in Saskatoon this week.

"A lot of businesses at this point are, because of these incidents, looking at their emergency plans that they have, and it's always good to do those reviews on an annual basis," said Arnott.

"It's even better to do those reviews once you've got an incident that you can model after."  

Arnott said people should not be afraid, but it was important to learn from past events.

"As the city grows, the potential for these type of events grows as well, and the key message for folks out there is just be aware and be prepared," said Arnott.  

Saskatoon 'not immune'

University of Saskatchewan forensic behavioural science professor Steve Wormith said although the courthouse explosion was serious, he would have been more concerned if it had been detonated during business hours.

• Saskatoon police want public 'to be aware but not afraid' after courthouse bombing

He did not believe there was reason for the public to be alarmed about "chaos" in the city.  

However, he said this week's events were a reminder that these types of incidents could happen in smaller cities like Saskatoon.

"In some ways it is a wake-up call for all of us," said Wormith.

"Saskatoon is not immune to these kinds of expressions that we see around the world."

Saskatoon-based criminal defence lawyer Kevin Hill, who has been going to the provincial courthouse building for 18 years, said security at that facility had tightened significantly since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks in the U.S.

"Over the years we've gone from quite a significant culture of complacency — I'll put it that way — to one where they are much more observant about the potential for problems," said Hill.

"The most obvious change was airport-style security screening at the entrance to the courthouse, and the fact that deputy sheriffs are now carrying firearms."

Mayor appeals to culprits

Mayor Charlie Clark echoed the Saskatoon police message that people should "be aware but not afraid."

On Thursday, he appealed for an end to the series of white powder hoaxes.

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Clark was aware of how the optics of police cars shutting down city blocks and hazmat workers in masks could affect the city's safety image.

"The perception issue is always a concern, you want people to feel safe," said Clark.

"But I do think, and want to reassure, from all the evidence we have, these are isolated incidents.

"The public is not in danger and we're doing a full investigation to make sure we get to the bottom of this."​

Clark stressed that it was important for emergency services to take the incidents seriously, just in case.

"We don't want to have, you know, the cry wolf situation where suddenly you think something is a joke and something goes otherwise."