News of a terrorism plot involving the B.C. legislature and pressure cookers filled with nails has sent shock waves through the province, and nowhere is the news hitting with more impact than in Victoria, where the iconic Parliament Buildings draw tourists year round. A Canada Day event there on Monday (the event the terrorists were targeting) attracted about 40,000 people to the legislative lawns.
B.C. residents may say “it can’t happen here,” but it can and it does. People in Boston likely felt much the same about the Boston Marathon, before the bombing incident this year, which apparently inspired the B.C. couple alleged to be at the centre of this plot.
Whether inspired by religion, politics or just mischief, acts of terror are on the rise in North America. Since the infamous acts of Sept. 11, 2001, a host of plots have been uncovered and several attacks, such as the Boston one, have actually been carried out. Three people were killed and 170 injured in Boston.
This has led to a dramatic increase in security at the borders and airports, in particular, but also at large public events such as the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The original budget for security at the Olympics was projected at $175 million. The actual cost was $900 million.
Events such as Canada Day celebrations have not been seen as likely targets for acts of terror, but they do attract large crowds. Here in Langley, where drunken revellers disrupted the tail end of what was an otherwise excellent and successful event, there are often as many as 30,000 people at the event.
The Canada Day event in Cloverdale, the main Surrey event, has attracted as many as 100,000 people. The downtown Vancouver event is also a large one.
Security has usually been pretty straightforward at such events. But it seems likely it will have to be boosted in the future, whether to ensure that wannabe terrorists have no chance to get near an event, or drunken partiers are barred from the grounds.
The Langley Canada Day event did have limited points of entry and security at the gate, and searches of backpacks and purses took place. Yet somehow, the revellers made their way onto the grounds and spoiled what was a fun party for many.
We may not want more security, but as citizens we appreciate extra efforts to make us safe.