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VPD task force downsizes-Mar 1-2001
Elk Valley Miner, Thursday, March 1, 2001
Downsizing VPD task force a
step backward for family
By Bobbie Saga
Elk Valley Miner
A Sparwood mother says she is disgusted by a recent
announcement the Vancouver Police Department is downsizing the special task
force investigating the case of missing women from the city’s East Side.
"I was exasperated and surprised when I read the news
about the VPD downsizing the special task force to a skeleton crew,"
Deborah Jardine said.
Jardine’s daughter Angela is one of 28 women officially
listed as missing from the seedy district located in downtown Vancouver. The
nine-member task force was established a little over one year ago to investigate
the case. The number of investigators, however, was recently
reduced to three.
"It’s basically the same scenario as it was
before," Jardine said.
"[A] limited amount of manpower to try and solve a huge
load of case files of missing women."
She added over the last two years, families and friends of
the missing women generated a considerable amount of media attention which
forced the hand of the VPD to get results.
This included coverage by America’s Most Wanted and quickly
followed by a reward of $100,000 by the BC Attorney General’s office for
information leading to arrests in the case.
"I recall when our daughter Angela went missing and the
VPD continued to tell me two detectives were sufficient to handle all of the
cases," Jardine said.
"Obviously they are returning to the old ways."
"It’s reassuring to know a team
of dedicated and diligent
police officers will not give up trying to unravel the mystery
of the unsolved cases."
Deborah Jardine, mother of missing woman
Jardine added, however, she is pleased the RCMP Cold Squad
have taken over the investigations of the missing women.
"It’s reassuring to know a team of dedicated and
diligent police officers will not give up trying to unravel the mystery of the
unsolved cases," Jardine said.
"The Cold Squad is proficient in strategic planning. The
RCMP and ViCLAS (Violent Crime Linkage Analysis) genuinely care for the victim
and secondary victims involved. I’m sure both units will do the best to their
ability to help bring closure for the families."
Jardine also said she believes her daughter is dead.
"We know in our hearts her body may never be found. It
is a comfort to know her investigation will continue because of this special
RCMP unit and her file will not be sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting
dust," she said.
For further information on the case, check the website
established by friends and families of the missing women.
Website: DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER-eastside
Angela Rebecca Jardine
RCMP Cold Squad takes
over case-Feb 15, 2001
RCMP
Cold Squads Increase
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