RCMP plan for strict level of law enforcement this May Long weekend

As the North Coast prepares for the first major migration of the season, RCMP detachments across the Northwest are reminding those heading out that they will be on the watch for any problems that may come with the unofficial launch of the summer season.

From Traffic enforcement on the highways, to the campground and the water, the RCMP and their partners in law enforcement will be looking to help keep the May long weekend a safe and enjoyable one for all.

The Terrace and Kitimat detachments will be working with Conservation Officers, Provincial Park Rangers and officials of the Department of Fisheries to conduct extra enforcement, both in the two cities, as well as at popular recreation areas in the Northwest, with particular attention to be given to the Furlong Bay recreation site.

The advisory of a strict level of enforcement comes after a number of issues arose last May long, something the RCMP will be looking to address before they have a chance to re-occur this year.

Last year’s May Long Weekend saw issues surrounding partying, underage drinking, and other problems that come with those behaviours. Because of that, we will be out in full force doing strict enforcement especially at Furlong Bay and the recreational sites. -- Constable Crystal Evelyn, Terrace RCMP.

Those who do not obey the rules, particularly when it comes to liquor offences, will be asked to leave the recreation sites, should they be minors, their guardians will be contacted to come remove their children from the parks should they be found committing a criminal or provincial offence.

One park site that is already off limits to the public this weekend is the Exstew River recreation site, as we noted last week, the Ministry of Lands and Forests proactively closed that campsite to the public last week, that as a result of damage to the recreation area in past years, as a result of that disregard for public space, the Exstew site has been closed over the may long weekend for a number of years;

Travelling to and from recreation areas this weekend is also an area where the RCMP plan to have a strong presence in place, with the West Pacific Traffic Services set to be proactive in the area of traffic enforcement on the regions highways from Prince Rupert through to the Bulkley Valley.

You can review the RCMP's notes for the weekend here.

For more items related to the work of Northwest Emergency Responders see our archive page here.


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