Last night, countless people were woken up by a loud (if your phone wasn’t on silent) Amber Alert regarding 11-year-old Riya Rajkumar, who had been abducted by her father, 41-year-old Roopesh Rajkumar.
While most of those in the region were concerned for the child’s well-being, there were, unfortunately, many (many) people who were more concerned that the alert had woken them up.
And let’s get one thing clear, Amber Alerts aren’t new. We’ve received them before. Hell, we’ve even received test alerts before. If you don’t want to be woken up by one, mute your phone, or put it on Do Not Disturb. You have options.
Yet, countless people still thought their best move was to take to social media or email and call the police to complain about the late hour of the alert, all while a little girl’s life was hanging in the balance.
Our communications bureau is receiving numerous calls to 9-1-1, complaining about the late hour of the Amber Alert. As a direct result of someone receiving the alert, we were able to locate the suspect & his vehicle. The system works. Thank you to all those that called with tips.
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) February 15, 2019
If the girl is dead, it didn’t work. We don’t wake up half the province after every murder. https://t.co/eQ52S6poK0
— TFCNU (@TFCNU2) February 15, 2019
Worst tweet of the year…How do you call an amber alert a dick move?!?!? pic.twitter.com/hDRUlmSipe
— Youtube: MJS.TV (@mjstv_fr) February 15, 2019
@peel_pa I DONT APPRECIATE THE AMBER ALERT TONIGHT. Why should ALL OF ONTARIO BE NUISANCED BY THIS NOT ONCE BUT AT LEAST 5 times… i want thus changed!!!!!!
— Munchkin (@Mutherpuker67) February 15, 2019
As much as I am concerned about the child involved, how useful is it to wake me up for an #AmberAlert? If I’m asleep I clearly haven’t seen the child
This emergency thing needs to be re-evaluated pic.twitter.com/jw7atp8oGx
— David Hershl (@Nozinan26) February 15, 2019
#AmberAlert cancelled… just like my sleep.
— Tyler (@TylerPitik) February 15, 2019
THAT FUCKING AMBER ALERT NEARLY GIVE ME AN HEART ATTACK. FUCK!
— Dani (@Itz_DaniClaire) February 15, 2019
This push notification is a great idea and should stay, but the execution is awful. I thought it was a nuclear attack or something, heart still pounding. Doubt I’ll be sleeping tonight #AMBERALERT #heartattack
— magisa233 (@magisa233) February 15, 2019
Who the FUCK wants to be waken up from an amber alert at 12AM?! I’m not John Wick, I’m not gonna hop out of bed, suit up and searching the streets.
— devon (@IlIIIIIIIIlll) February 15, 2019
Tragically, the incident didn’t have the outcome police were hoping for, but the alert did end up being the direct reason the suspect’s vehicle was spotted and reported to police.
And at approximately 12:30 am, Peel Police confirmed that Riya had been found dead in a residence in Brampton and her father was arrested.
An officer with Peel Regional Police called the complaints “disappointing” and “upsetting,” and adding that while he appreciates a lot of people were sleeping, the immediate need to locate the child “outweighed the momentary inconvenience that some people encountered.”
I can’t even begin to describe how disappointing and upsetting it is to read the comments, emails and calls to our communications bureau complaining about receiving an Amber Alert late at night. I appreciate that a lot of people were sleeping but the immediate need to locate 1/2
— Cst. Akhil Mooken (@OfficerMooken) February 15, 2019
the child outweighed the momentary inconvenience that some people encountered. Tragically this incident did not have the outcome we were all hoping for but the suspect was located as a direct result of a citizen receiving the alert and calling 9-1-1. The system works. 2/2
— Cst. Akhil Mooken (@OfficerMooken) February 15, 2019
While last night’s Amber Alert may have caused a momentary disruption for some, a child and her family’s lives have been changed forever.
Thankfully, there are still some compassionate people left in this world.
Late addition this morning to the #ImbecileIndex. Any Canadian that complained to 911 or on social media about getting a late night #amberalert. Please, let’s try harder not to be selfish assholes. A young girl lost her life and you’re worried about sleep? Shut up.
— drex (@drex) February 15, 2019
I support the Amber Alert even if it spooked me while sleeping. If it can save a life or bring a criminal into justice, 10 minutes of lost sleep is no concern to me.
— Reyan Robles (@reyan_robles) February 15, 2019
To all the individuals out there complaining about the late #AmberAlert last night, the vast majority who think it is essential and worthy, regardless of the time it occurs, would like to ask that you please shut the hell up.
— Troy Westwood (@TroyWestwood) February 15, 2019
For people outside of Toronto who were complaining about being ‘woken up’ by the Riya Rajkumar amber alert — her father was arrested tonight by the OPP near Orillia, Ontario after a citizen who saw the #amberalert spotted him
— Bryan Passifiume (@BryanPassifiume) February 15, 2019
ffs
A big F U to anyone complaining that they were woken up by an Amber alert when a girl is dead!!
— Jim Richards Sh🎙wgram (@JIMrichards1010) February 15, 2019
When an Amber Alert goes off, don’t complain about it waking you up, etc. People really need to get their heads out of their asses. So saddened to hear the news, I thought the alert was called off and she was found safely. Rest In Peace beautiful princess Riya Rajkumar🌹
— TiaBhatia (@tia_bhatia) February 15, 2019
People were really so inconvenienced by the Amber Alert that they felt the need to complain to 911? I have zero faith in people. Wait till it’s your own kid. You’ll want everyone woken up.
— pekaveli (@PEKAVELI) February 15, 2019
a father really killed his own 11 year old daughter and theres people complaining about how the amber alert woke them up from their sleep. the world is such a messed up place, may the little girl rest in peace
— bilqees (@bilqees_786) February 15, 2019