Campbell River RCMP are explaining that bear spray is for bears

Campbell River

2022-04-07 22:32 HAP

Under the Official Languages Act, this office provides services to the public in English only. You will find general information in both official languages at bc.rcmp.ca and www.rcmp.ca

Aux termes de la Loi sur les langues officielles, ce bureau n'offre des services au public qu'en anglais. Vous trouverez des renseignements généraux dans les deux langues officielles au cb.grc.ca et www.grc.ca.

A recent trend in the community of Campbell River has officers finding young people carrying bear spray with little to no good intentions, despite what they may have explained to their guardians in order to have them procure the spray for them.

Some of the excuses that officers are hearing, is that the youth are carrying the spray to protect themselves from people because the community is dangerous. However, the use of the spray has a tendency to make the community more, not less dangerous. In the hands of the youth it ends up being used more often than not as an offensive weapon rather than an animal deterrent.

(Common Bear spray found in outdoor and hardware stores)

In the most recent event that bear spray was used, a male teenager deployed the spray at another male in retribution for losing a fight on an earlier occasion. It was only the unwillingness of the victim to take part in the investigation that prevented the assailant from being charged with Assault with a Weapon under Section 267 of the Criminal Code.

Police are also finding bear spray and knives in backpacks when we're breaking up groups of teens that are 14 or 15 years old who are drinking or smoking marijuana in public places like school fields late at night. Their excuses are that it's dangerous out, explained Cst Maury Tyre. The problem is, it's 3:00 am, and you're drunk and high and you have concealed weapons on you...that's dangerous.

Youth need to be made very aware that use of any weapon can end in the ultimate tragedy of loss of life or serious damage to someone else. Bear spray, for instance is highly pressurized for it's use and it could cause serious damage to someone's eye's and if that happens, Aggravated Assault charges could end up being pursued.

Some of the other items police have found are bongs worth hundreds of dollars, illegally procured and legally procured marijuana, home made shanks, and vapes worth in excess of $100. None of these items are actually legal for youth to have in Canada. Based on the store bought values of most of the items though, it's clear that someone who is gainfully employed is paying for them.

Guardians need to be reminded that fines exist for procuring alcohol and marijuana for youth, and they are substantial. In addition if you've purchased bear spray or other weapons and they're used in the commission of an offence, you could find yourself to be criminally negligent or liable in civil court.

If your youth are telling you it's extremely dangerous out there, said Tyre, it's probably time to start asking where they are hanging out and who they are hanging out with. Most violent crimes in the community are conducted by people who are known well to each other not by complete strangers. So if the people you are hanging out with carry weapons, that just increases the likelihood that a weapon could be used against you.

Simply put, bear spray is for using on Yogi and Boo Boo when they are dangerously trying to steal your pick-a-nic basket. If you or your youth are carrying it for human to human protection, you can and will be charged.

If you wish to report criminal activity in the community, please contact the Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221 or in an emergency call 911.

 

Diffusé par :

Gend. Maury Tyre

Agent des relations avec les médias
GRC de Campbell River
275, rue Dogwood Sud, Campbell River (C.-B.) V9W 8C8
Bureau : 250-286-6221
Cellulaire : 250-895-1468
Télécopieur : 250-286-3983

Courriel : maury.tyre@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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