I want to say something for the non-news people. You'll notice in the story that it states we contacted a member of Constable Hovingh's family who didn't wish to comment. I've already begun to see people basically calling us vultures and the scum of the earth for such actions. 1/ https://twitter.com/ReporterWarren/status/1329547707011239943

And I get it. The optics don't seem great. But we have to do it. There's nothing more that most journalists dread than having to pick up the phone or drive to the house of a family that has just experienced a tragedy. And most times, the family will not want to talk. 2/

But it's the least bit of common courtesy to pick up the phone, especially when you've known the people before (as I did in this case), and say we've been covering the situation and allowing them the chance to weigh in if they so choose. It's either that or you publish 3/

a story that blindsides the family and doesn't account for their own trauma. I was the one who had to make that call this afternoon and the first words out of my mouth after saying who I was were "I'm not going to ask you to make any comment right now but..." 4/

followed by an open invitation for any time in the future when they might want to say something. I then offered condolences on behalf of the whole office and I meant it—we have deep relationships with our community members. When someone grieves, the whole Island grieves. 5/

I then sent a heads-up to some journalists who have been covering the story from other outlets, that I had spoken with the family and they didn't want to comment, so in case they were trying to track them down they could stop and leave the family to grieve. 6/

I should also add that sometimes when I've had to make these calls in the past, people are appreciative of the opportunity to get their story out. It can be healing and cathartic. But you just never know until you punch in those 10 numbers. 7/

I'm still not entirely sure why I'm writing this but perhaps I'm trying to selfishly process the day, too. I can't begin to imagine the trauma for the family and for the fellow officers in the detachment and across the province, but everyone in our office was shaken up, too. 8/

I guess my point is that "the media" (as nefarious as that term has become) is ultimately run by people. You can cast doubt and suspicion on us but believe me. If us local journalists were shady and not accountable to our communities, we wouldn't exist for a year let alone 141. 9

So when you're looking for information about developing situations, I've said it before and will say again, ($)upport *trusted* local news sources who pay for on-the-ground reporting. We're doing the best we can to responsibly chronicle the experience of our communities. 10/10