RICHMOND RCMP on Tuesday announced that no charges will be laid in the August 23 incident in which a white woman passed racist comments against another person at the Richlea Square Shopping Centre over a dispute about parking.
Richmond RCMP said: “Over the last three days, Richmond Detachment investigators have worked diligently to gather the required facts and evidence to make an informed decision as to how to proceed with this matter. While we understand the contents of the video and interaction is disturbing and troubling, in consultation with the BC Prosecution Service it has been determined that this matter will not proceed to criminal charges.”
Police said they started an investigation after receiving a complaint posted on social media of the incident.
In the video, the white woman yells, “You don’t know a damn thing, go back to China where you belong,” when confronted about the way she had parked her vehicle.
When CBC News contacted the white woman, who identified herself as Carla Waldman, the woman admitted that her car was touching the other driver’s licence plate. However, she added: “I do not regret anything I said to her because she was a very mean person … I don’t care what they’re calling me. I am not a racist person.”
Richmond RCMP said they would like to remind the public that while this incident does not meet the threshold for criminal charge, some of the responses on social media could be considered criminal in nature.
“We can appreciate that the community here in Richmond and the extended community online feels strongly about comments made in the video, but we would certainly not wish for anyone to cross the line from spirited conversation to criminal cyberbullying. We must respect this individual is still entitled to due process and has a reasonable expectation of personal privacy, ” said Inspector Sunny Parmar.
RCMP pointed out: “The City of Richmond is a diverse, and multi-cultural community. Public safety is a priority for us and the members of the Richmond RCMP take a great deal of pride in working here and ensuring that it is a safe community for all of its residents and visitors.”
