COMPLETE RIOT PHOTOS
Sun releases all its images to the public, then police.
The Vancouver Sun and The Province will hand over all photos and video shot during the Stanley Cup riot to Vancouver police after a judge granted a police application, but the newspapers have decided to make every image available to our readers first.
Some 5,481 photos taken during the riot can now be viewed on The Sun’s website at pngphoto.com. These same images will be given to police on Monday as ordered by the court.
“We will reluctantly turn over the photos and videos to police, but remain concerned that the production order turns journalists into evidence gatherers for police,” said Harold Munro, The Sun’s deputy managing editor.
“Police should only make such demands on the media as a last resort,” he added. “In this case, they have many thousands of photos and videos from the public that are still being reviewed.”
On Dec. 16, a B. C. Supreme Court judge quashed an earlier production order because of errors made in the application by the Vancouver police department. A new, corrected application was granted by a judge on Dec. 21.
The Sun is also concerned that Vancouver police will have a large database that includes hundreds of photos of innocent people.
“Our lawyer, Dan Burnett, has written asking police to confirm that images of innocent citizens will be destroyed out of respect for their civil liberties after the investigation is completed,” Munro said.
Many people in the photos came downtown to watch hockey on an outdoor screen and did not participate in the riot. The Sun and The Province are posting every photo online so readers can see whether their images are included in the massive police file assembled for the riot investigation.
The riot erupted after the Vancouver Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Boston Bruins on June 15.
Rioters set cars on fire, including police cars, smashed windows and looted stores in downtown Vancouver, causing millions in damages.
As of Tuesday, police have recommended charges against 100 people.
A total of 30 people have been charged so far with 78 offences.
Police expect hundreds of people to be charged, although it is taking investigators time to sift through thousands of photographs and videos, many of which were taken on cellphones and submitted by citizens.
Premier Christy Clark said earlier she wants to see the riot proceedings broadcast on TV, but defence lawyers are expected to oppose the applications made by the Crown.