Mcqueen residents want suspect out
Protest planned after man accused of sexual assault released in neighbourhood
An online petition is demanding a 37-year-old man leave the Mcqueen neighbourhood after Edmonton city police issued a warning about him being released in the area.
Police issued the warning on Wednesday that a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a child in March was released after being discharged from the Edmonton Remand Centre. The warning caused outrage in the community, prompting some to create an online petition to remove the accused from the area.
Nathan Devries, who started the petition, said online the man is living with his mother in a home that is near where the victim lives. He said having the accused in the area “may perpetuate psychological and emotional trauma for the victim and that his proximity undermines the public’s sense of safety and security for the children in the neighbourhood at large.”
The warning from police received criticism online from Tom Engel, president of the Canadian Prison Law Association. He tweeted the police were “showing contempt for the court, which found that release would not pose a substantial risk to the public.”
“The #EPS knows this will vilify him in his neighbourhood and make it difficult for him. You are also risking contamination of the jury pool,” Engel tweeted.
Following a meeting with the Edmonton Police Commission on Thursday, city police Chief Dale Mcfee addressed the public warning that went out and said the police weren’t calling the bail process into question.
“We look at this from the perspective that we have an obligation to public safety in relation to should people be notified,” Mcfee told reporters. “The decision was made by the justice of the peace, we’re not questioning that. What we’re saying is we opposed it, as did the Crown oppose release.”
Police say the eight-year-old girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted after being approached on March 10 near 144 Street and 110 Avenue around 5:30 p.m.
Wade Stene was later arrested and charged with:
Kidnapping
Sexual assault/weapon
Two counts of sexual contact with a child
Threats to cause death/bodily harm
Make, print, publish child pornography
Possession of child pornography His next court appearance is scheduled for July 2 in Edmonton.
Police said in a release that he is required to wear a tracking ankle bracelet, remain at his residence 24 hours a day, must have pre-approval by his bail supervisor before going to any medical and legal appointments, no contact with anyone under the age of 18 years old and can’t purchase, possess, use or consume alcohol and/or non-prescribed controlled substances.
Edmonton police communications adviser Cheryl Sheppard said in an email police responded to the neighbourhood on Wednesday just after 11 p.m. following several calls about growing unrest in the community after Stene’s release. She said there were no physical confrontations or arrests when police were there.
A protest is being organized for Saturday at 2 p.m. in front of Stene’s mother’s home.
Sheppard said uniformed police will be there to maintain peace and ensure the safety of everyone.
Mark Jordan, Stene’s lawyer, sent a letter to Mcfee calling for EPS to issue a public warning that the mother has banned everyone from her property. He also called on police to enforce the law and protect Stene and his mother.