Sylvan Lake RCMP cracks down on bad behaviour this summer
Bringing banned booze to beaches, parks `only leads to further incidents of trouble'
As COVID-19 restrictions lift and temperatures rise across the province, so are reports of hotheaded behaviour in Sylvan Lake, according to RCMP.
Police are increasing patrols around parks and beaches in Sylvan Lake this summer as reports of suspicious activity are on the rise. Sylvan Lake, located about 160 kilometres north of Calgary, is a popular tourist destination for its lakeside views.
Over the last few weeks, RCMP and Town of Sylvan Lake peace officers have given out 49 liquor tickets and responded to several complaints around underage drinking and assaults.
It's illegal to carry around open liquor in public places and picnic areas in Alberta, and doing so can result in a fine of $120.
Staff Sgt. Jeff Mcbeth, Sylvan Lake RCMP detachment commander, said reminding people not to bring booze to beaches or parks is the main message police want to get across.
“Nine times out of 10, it only leads to further incidents or trouble,” Mcbeth said.
The increase in liquor tickets given out this year compared to last year is “significant,” he said. Compared to the 49 tickets issued over the last few weeks, police had issued one liquor ticket over the same time period last year.
“To have such an increase in the liquor tickets over a matter of a couple of days is dramatic for us.”
Populations in Sylvan Lake have increased during COVID-19 and hotter temperatures, which while great for the tourist town, has led to a higher number of incidents.
“Then you have this last weekend with Canada Day, and you've got numbers that are significantly higher again — double, triple what we've done last year.”
Kjeryn Dakin, owner of Bukwildz on Lakeshore Drive, said the bad behaviour reported over the last few weeks isn't unique compared to other years.
As more people come into Sylvan Lake for the summer, she said she expects situations where visitors can get rowdy.
“When you get more people together, specifically in the last few weeks when COVID restrictions are starting to lift, you are going to get some good with the bad,” she said. “It's not throwing my hair back by any means … it's Sylvan Lake in the summer.”
However, she said she appreciates the increased police patrols as the community welcomes back tourists as a way to ensure everyone's safety.
“We are a tourist destination, so it's important for us to protect all demographics that are coming to town,” she said. “Of course, we need a couple more people to patrol just to ensure everyone's enjoyment.”
The restaurant has been gearing up for the tourist season, bumping up staff numbers from 12 to 55 people within two weeks, Dakin said. With restrictions opening back up, she said the community is ready to welcome tourists back.
“We need to have a great summer, we need the tourists to come here. So if we're proactively having those RCMP officers or patrollers here for the crowds, awesome. I hope this is our best summer ever.”
According to the Town of Sylvan Lake, the community sees an average of 760,000 visitors each summer.
RCMP are asking the public to report any suspicious activity in the area by calling the detachment at 403-858-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).