ON Wednesday, June 24 at approximately 8:15 a.m., the New Westminster Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from someone who said that as they were driving in the area of 14th Street and 8th Avenue, they saw a man with what they believed to be a firearm.

New Westminster Police Department officers flooded the area to search for anyone matching the suspect description. Officers notified the nearby school, and for the next hour there was a significant police presence in the area. NWPD drones searched for the suspect from above and officers canvassed the area for CCTV footage.

“After thoroughly searching the area, no one matching the suspect description was found,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “This caller did the right thing, and our response demonstrates how seriously we take these kinds of calls.”

The New Westminster Police Department said it would like to remind the public that if they see anything that causes them immediate concern for their safety or the safety of others to call 9-1-1.