Police are finding young people carrying bear spray that they say is for protection, but “the use of the spray tends to make the community more, not less dangerous,” said media relations officer Const. Maury Tire said in a statement on Friday. “Young people need to know very well that the use of any weapon can lead to the ultimate tragedy of loss of life or serious injury to someone else.” Young people are more likely to use bear spray in offensive, non-defensive attacks, Tire said, citing the case of a teenager who used high-pressure spray on another male in retaliation for losing a previous fight. “It was only the victim’s reluctance to participate in the investigation that prevented the perpetrator from being charged with assault with a weapon under Article 267 of the Penal Code,” Tyre said. Police also found bear spray and knives in backpacks when disbanding groups of 14- or 15-year-olds who drank or smoked marijuana in public places such as schools late at night, Tire said. At 3 a.m., these young people are often drunk and muddy and holding hidden weapons – “this is dangerous,” he said. Bear spray is under high pressure so it can deter a large animal like a bear, but when used in humans, it can cause serious injury, for example to a person’s eye. If that happens, police warn that he could be charged with aggravated assault. Other items found in the teens when Campbell River police are investigating riots include hundreds of dollars worth of cannabis – often used for cannabis smoking – illegally and legally obtained marijuana, house knives and more than $ 100 worth of vapors, police said. “None of these items are really legal for young people in Canada,” Tire said. Tire suggests that guardians or people who “work for profit” are more likely to buy drugs, bear spray and expensive bongs and vapors for young people. There are significant fines for adults who supply alcohol and marijuana to young people, and if guardians buy bear spray or other weapons and use them to commit a crime, “you may be in criminal negligence or be liable in civil court.” said the police. If young people say they need weapons for protection, “it’s probably time to start asking where they hang out and who they hang out with,” Tire said. Most violent crimes involve people who know each other – not strangers, Tire said. If a young person hangs out with people carrying guns, those same guns could be used on them, he said. To contact the Campbell River RCMP about criminal activity, call 250-286-6221 or, in an emergency, call 911. [email protected]
