Delta police are ready to deal with youths who plan to gather in large numbers as well as people setting off fireworks this Halloween.
That’s according to Police Chief Neil Dubord who was asked during the City of Delta's virtual town hall session Tuesday how police will respond to large gatherings, something seen at a Ladner park last year when over 100 gathered lighting off fireworks.
Dubord said he expects there will be large gatherings of youths who may not be concerned about COVID-19.
“What we’ve done this year is we’ve identified locations that last year we knew were very busy and historically we know are very busy. We’re having our reserves, working with Delta bylaws, and our police officers to ensure that we have lots of visibility in those areas, and trying to encourage people, number one, not to gather in large groups, but, number two, we always worry about fireworks,” said Dubord.
“We’ve had a couple of instances of fireworks in Ladner here over the course of the last couple of weeks. It’s illegal to be able to set off fireworks without a permit from the fire department. Of course, we don’t sell any fireworks here in Delta. However, in Halloween there’s so many people letting off fireworks that it’s impossible to enforce all of it. So, we’re selective in how we do the enforcements. It’s a $175 fine and we seize the fireworks from the person. It’s our officers’ discretion on each individual case on how we deal with that. So, don’t be afraid to call if you hear any fireworks in your neighborhood,” he added.
Mayor George Harvie noted that despite fireworks sales being illegal in most places, people can still easily purchase them on the Internet. It’s a problem that Delta wants to address with other municipalities as well as police associations following this Halloween, he said.
Harvie also noted Delta civic workers, members of CUPE Local 454, volunteered to help police and bylaws officers patrol parks and other civic facilities to provide additional eyes and report any suspicious activity this weekend.
Harvie and Dubord made a public information video about celebrating Halloween safely during COVID-19.
Harvie said this COVID-19 Halloween can still be made to be a good experience for children.
