DEWAR: Ottawa Shooting - a breach in existing security?

[Oscar]

DEWAR: Ottawa Shooting - a breach in existing security?

by Dale Dewar

Sent to the Leader Post for publishing on October 23, 2014

Reading the newspaper, listening to the radio and watching the buzz feed build over the security breach at parliament hill, you would be forgiven if you thought that it would’ve been a simple matter for a guy to shoot someone at the War Memorial and “run up the street toward Parliament Hill”, “hijack a car” and “drive it towards the Peace Tower”.

I have had the opportunity in my former position as director of a charity to visit the Centre Block many times. There was always a watchful eye upon the road entrances to the grounds; all cars were stopped and checked. The distance is not short. A car could not have steamrolled onto the hill without notice - if the road entrance crews were awake at the time. The Southwest entrance would have been particularly tricky.

This is not a lack of sufficient security. It was a breach in the security that was already present. More security cameras, people and gadgets won’t help if no one is watching and listening.

Dale Dewar,
Wynyard, SK

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