April Fool’s Day on April 1 is always a fun time for newspapers and other media to play jokes.
Weekly community newspapers always take advantage of the years when April Fool’ Day falls on the date of publication.
Back in the 1990s, when I was the reporter for the Agassiz-Harrison Observer, I wrote a story about an April Fool’s joke that was played on me – by the local Agassiz RCMP.
About one month before, I took a photo of an information picket line at the main gate of the property entrance of Kent Institution. In the background was a large sign that said no photographs were allowed – beyond the sign, that is. The photo in the newspaper was large and prominent.
If I’m not mistaken, it was on the front page of the 16-page tabloid newspaper.
I was aware of the sign by the maximum-security prison when I was there. I knew I was not violating any regulations. I was on the right side of the sign – and the law.
I grew up in Agassiz that was my hometown for almost 40 years before I moved to Alberta in January 2002 to become a newspaper reporter at the Smoky River Express based in Falher.
As a reporter with the Observer and longtime resident, I had a good rapport with the Agassiz RCMP and its officers and staff. They were good friends and I have always respected the authorities.
Then the day came – April Fool’s Day – and I was working alone in the newspaper office. Most days, I was in the office alone most of the day. I was the reporter, my older sister was in production and her husband was the publisher and advertising manager.
So after the ordeal, I wrote a story about the day the RCMP took the reporter away.
News stories are always written with the key point at the top – in the lead.
But I wrote the story about my time with police with a sense of suspense.
I didn’t keep a copy of the story that was on the front page of the first edition after April Fool’s Day.
But I remember how I drafted the story.
I was not at all scared or afraid of the police presence when they arrived. I just wanted to see how it would play out.
Observer reporter Richard Froese was apprehended by Agassiz RCMP when he was working alone in his office.
That’s how I started the story.
As I recall the incident for this column, I will explain it as I remember it, not in the form of a news story.
Police arrived at my office on the main street in downtown Agassiz around 10 a.m., holding in hand the newspaper edition that featured the photo. They displayed the photo as their evidence.
One officer said I was breaking the law by taking a photo at that location.
I locked the office door as the officers escorted me to the police cruiser – no handcuffs were used. I sat in the back seat, not sure what was happening – or what would happen.
Reading the sign while at the site, I knew I was not breaking the law. The officer said I was not allowed to take any photo on site stated by the sign.
I didn’t question the officers.
From growing up, my parents taught me to always obey police and other authorities. I have always had great respect for police and authorities.
When we arrived at the police station, a drive of less than one minute, the officer drove the cruiser into the garage. As one officer opened the car door to let me out, they led me to a room to get my fingerprints.
Within a few minutes, several officers and staff walked in the room and made me feel welcomed with a special message.
“April Fool’s!”
Then we all had a good laugh!
Richard Froese