The New Brunswick RCMP issues the following statement with respect to an Alert Ready message sent out on August 9, 2023.
On August 9, 2023, the New Brunswick RCMP received a complaint of shots fired in the area of Cloverdale, N.B. An investigation by the RCMP resulted in the preparation of an Alert Ready message advising the public in the Cloverdale region, East of Hartland, to shelter in place out of our concern for public safety. Within approximately 15 minutes of the alert, the RCMP located and arrested the subject, and an updated Alert Ready message was issued advising that the incident was concluded.
Following the conclusion of the incident, the RCMP learned that some of the critical information entered in the system by RCMP employees did not appear in some of the alerts issued on television and radio. After extensive review, the New Brunswick RCMP has confirmed that RCMP staff followed the Alert Ready system policies and procedures required for entering information before launching the alert, and that the information entered was complete. The information that was missing in certain broadcasts mediums has been attributed to a malfunction of the Alert Ready broadcasting system, which is not owned or maintained by the RCMP.
The New Brunswick RCMP is working with our partners in the New Brunswick government, and the system provider, to assist them in rectifying the issue.
The New Brunswick RCMP is committed to public safety and the use of the Alert Ready system during critical incidents affecting the public. We will always use all tools available to us to ensure people have the information they need to stay safe.