Edmonds-area residents concerned about safety in their neighbourhood after a local teenager was killed by a dump truck last week will get a chance to ask questions at a Burnaby RCMP information session tonight (Thursday).
Byrne Creek Community School Grade 8 student Muska Behzad died last Thursday after being hit by a truck on 11th Avenue near 16th Street.
She had been walking home from school.
“We understand many people continue to be affected by this tragic incident and those who live and work in the area may have questions about community safety,” states a Burnaby RCMP news release.
The detachment has organized a public meeting at Edmonds Community Centre from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss community concerns and provide information and resources for those who have been impacted by the tragedy.
Mounties and civilian staff, including Burnaby RCMP’s victim services unit, will be on hand to speak with residents.
“The goal of this program is to meet directly with the community to ensure people are heard and connected with resources they may need, such as victim services,” Burnaby RCMP Insp. Kathy Hartwig said in the release. “This is a significant and tragic incident with a profound community impact, and we want the local community to know supports are available.”
Burnaby RCMP launched its Burnaby neighbourhood incident response program in March 2021 after a burning body was discovered in Greentree Village Park off Garden Grove Drive.
Residents in the area had questions and concerns, wondering why this had happened in their neighbourhood, and the detachment hosted a Zoom meeting, since COVID-19 prevented them from holding an in-person event.
Mounties hosted two more virtual meetings in May 2021, after deadly gang shootings in Edmonds and Market Crossing.
No RSVP is required for tonight’s event, which will take place in the active studio at Edmonds Community Centre (7433 Edmonds St.).
Anyone with questions about the event is asked to email E_Burnaby_Events@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call 604-646-9911.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com
