In the wake of a review of the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski, Vancouver International Airport has announced more than $1 million in upgrades in effort to prevent another similar tragedy.
Dziekanski died after being Tasered by police during a confrontation at the airport in October.
The Vancouver Airport Authority said Friday it will spend $1.3 million in four areas: Customer Care, Communication, Safety and Security, and Medical Response.
The changes include:
- Terminal-wide and easily identifiable translation services
- 24-hour in-terminal medical response services
- Pictograms and multiple-language signage to help those who don't speak English
- Hourly security walks through the Customs Hall, making YVR the first airport in Canada where airport staff is allowed in customs areas
- YVR will place electronic boards in waiting areas that will show the names of incoming passengers who want to announce their arrival
- Additional customer care training for staff members
- Five public safety officers trained in conflict resolution
Dziekanski died almost two months ago after the confrontation with police. He had spent 10 hours isolated in a secure area of the airport following his flight from Poland.
At some point, he became agitated. He threw furniture, yelled, and slammed windows. Airport security called the RCMP. By the time they arrived, Dziekanski was calm and had spread his arms out in what appears to be an effort to submit to police commands.
But within 30 seconds of arriving on the scene, police shot him with a Taser.
Dziekanski, who could not speak English, was supposed to have been picked up by his mother. Zofia Cisowski had repeatedly asked about her son, but no one helped her contact him.
She returned home after spending hours at the airport in a futile attempt to track him down.
"The changes we're announcing today reflect a number of significant improvements to customer service and safety that have already been identified and can be implemented now or in the very near future," said Larry Berg head of Vancouver Airport Authority.
"We have an obligation to care for each and every customer who comes through the airport, and the purpose of our internal review is to ensure that we do just that."
Through her lawyer Dziekanski's mother said she would have liked to have seen more changes.
"I think she's happy in some ways that they're making changes," said Walter Kostecky. "It seems the biggest cause for concern is the culture of indifference."
Emile Therien of the Canada Safety Council told 麻豆影视net that the changes are steps in the right direction.
"(The changes) should have been there a long time ago, and certainly if this plan would have been in (place) three months ago that terrible incident would not have happened."
The airport has also suggested that a memorial bench be established at a nearby park. But members of the Polish community say they would like a plaque in honour of Dziekanski at the airport.
"The bench is not going to fly," said Diem Job-Frankie, who helped organized a rally for Dziekanski in Vancouver last month.
"If you want to see a lot angry people, myself included, you can bring up the idea of a bench. It is absolutely not acceptable."
