RCMP had to be called to remove a couple of anti-maskers from a Courtenay business on March 23, after the women forced their way into the store.
According to a My Tech Guys staff incident report obtained by the Black Press Media, a customer called regarding a computer part. When informed of the company香蕉视频直播檚 mask policy, she indicated she was not comfortable abiding by the rules, so the staff agreed to serve her outside, as per company policy.
Once she arrived at the business, a staff member met her outside and informed her he had her replacement part set aside, and would return shortly with it.
香蕉视频直播淯pon coming back out with the new product for exchange, a second woman in camo pants approached and they both pushed closer to me when the door opened,香蕉视频直播 said the staff member in his report.
The two women barged into the showroom and proceeded to loudly play anti-COVID and anti-vaccine videos and recordings.
The police were called, and the women refused to leave the store until police arrived.
Store owner Bob Wells was proud of how his staff handled the volatile situation, and while the situation was unique, training provided by the company had the staff well prepared for such a scenario.
香蕉视频直播淚 think they handled it really well,香蕉视频直播 he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e have what we call 香蕉视频直播榝ire drills香蕉视频直播 and set up situations where something like this can happen, and then we discuss how to handle it. So this did catch us off-guard, because it did seem that everything was going according to script, working with them outside, until this second person came along and they started pushing their way in. So as soon as that happened, staff called the manager, and the RCMP were called. There香蕉视频直播檚 no monkeying about.香蕉视频直播
According to the report, at no time did either of the two women indicate they had medical reasons for being mask exempt, despite being asked about possible medical exemption by the staff member.
香蕉视频直播淭his is not about being biased, or refusing service to people,香蕉视频直播 said Wells. 香蕉视频直播淔or those people that, for a variety of reasons, can香蕉视频直播檛 wear a mask, and can香蕉视频直播檛 have someone act on their behalf, our (policy) is to service them outside. We have those procedures in place for the safety not only of our staff, but for the customers香蕉视频直播 safety as well.香蕉视频直播
Wells said there was no cash transaction needed, as the part the woman was looking to replace was under warranty.
香蕉视频直播淭o us, it was a very straightforward interaction,香蕉视频直播 said Wells. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播榮 one thing to say 香蕉视频直播業 don香蕉视频直播檛 want to wear a mask, I香蕉视频直播檒l meet you outside香蕉视频直播 and begrudgingly moan about it, but it香蕉视频直播檚 quite another thing to push your way into the store and go on a basic anti-masking rant. We didn香蕉视频直播檛 ask for that. We are just there to provide a service.香蕉视频直播
Wells said the fact that it was warranty work indicates that the woman was a repeat customer, but he expects she will be barred from the store.
香蕉视频直播淲e certainly have a policy that if staff feel threatened or feel that they have been treated disrespectfully, we will ask that customer not to come back.香蕉视频直播
The owner of the business is also the mayor of Courtenay, leading to a lot of speculation online that the incident was targeted specifically because of that. Wells, however, highly doubts that was the case, considering the woman was bringing back an item that was under warranty.
RCMP spokesperson Const. Monika Terragni said an officer responded, spoke with the two women, and escorted them off the premises, but did not issue any fines.
香蕉视频直播淭he attending frontline officer took time to discuss the situation and provide information to the women regarding the potential consequences of non-compliance with Public Health Order (PHO) restrictions,香蕉视频直播 said Terragni. 香蕉视频直播淲hen it comes to enforcement of the PHO restrictions, the Comox Valley RCMP will work with businesses, groups, and individuals toward compliance; serving violation tickets is the last option in most circumstances.香蕉视频直播
For more news from Vancouver Island and beyond delivered daily into your inbox, please
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on