The City of Kelowna Takes Action Against the Misuse of Deterrent Sprays

Introduction: Addressing the Growing Concern

The City of Kelowna, in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has recently implemented stricter measures to combat the inappropriate use and sale of deterrent sprays, such as bear spray and pepper spray. This decision comes in response to a significant increase in incidents involving both youth and adults. Cpl. Michael Gauthier of the Kelowna RCMP emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "We’ve seen some significant cases where bear spray has been involved, including situations with both youth and adults. We take this very seriously." The rise in such incidents has prompted local authorities to take proactive steps to ensure public safety and prevent further misuse of these potentially dangerous substances.

New Bylaw to Restrict Sale and Use of Deterrent Sprays

To address the growing concern, the City of Kelowna has introduced a new bylaw aimed at regulating the sale of deterrent sprays. The bylaw imposes several key requirements on businesses that sell these products. Firstly, businesses must restrict the sale of deterrent sprays to individuals over the age of 18. Secondly, they are required to maintain detailed records of all transactions for a period of three years. Finally, the sprays must be kept out of the public’s reach, ensuring that they are not easily accessible to unauthorized individuals. These measures are designed to curb the misuse of deterrent sprays, particularly among young people.

The Reasoning Behind the New Regulations

Kevin Duggan, the city’s community services manager, provided insight into the reasoning behind the new regulations. He explained that similar bylaws have been successfully implemented in other communities, such as Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver. These measures have proven effective in reducing incidents involving deterrent sprays in those areas. Duggan highlighted that since 2019, the number of incidents involving deterrent sprays has increased by 80.5 percent in Kelowna. Moreover, the involvement of youth in such incidents has risen dramatically, from six percent of all cases to 19.2 percent. Duggan emphasized that this rise in youth involvement was a major driver of the concern, stating, "That rise in youth involvement was a major driver of our concern. We’ve also seen an increase in reports involving multiple victims."

Recent Incidents Involving Deterrent Sprays

A recent incident in downtown Kelowna further underscored the need for stricter regulations. RCMP confirmed that a group of young females was arrested at a downtown restaurant over the weekend. During the arrest, officers seized a replica firearm and confiscated bear or pepper spray from one of the individuals involved. While this incident highlights the ongoing issue of deterrent spray misuse, it is important to note that overall youth crime in the area is trending downward this year compared to last. The RCMP remains committed to addressing youth-related crime through various initiatives, including deploying officers in both plain clothes and uniform to areas where youth frequently gather, particularly outside of school hours.

Ongoing Investigations and Efforts to Address Youth Crime

In addition to the recent arrest, the RCMP is continuing to investigate a case from last Halloween, where a group of young girls was allegedly bear sprayed by a group of youths. This incident, along with others, has led to increased scrutiny of how deterrent sprays are being used and accessed by young people. The RCMP is actively engaged in several initiatives aimed at reducing youth crime, including targeted police presence in areas frequented by young individuals. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, particularly as it relates to the misuse of deterrent sprays.

Conclusion: A Commitment to Public Safety

In conclusion, the City of Kelowna and the RCMP are taking decisive action to address the growing issue of deterrent spray misuse. The new bylaw, coupled with increased police presence and targeted initiatives, demonstrates a commitment to public safety and the reduction of youth-related crime. While the number of incidents involving deterrent sprays has increased in recent years, the implementation of these new measures is expected to help mitigate the problem and ensure that these potentially dangerous substances are used responsibly and legally. The community can rest assured that local authorities are taking this issue seriously and are working diligently to prevent further misuse of deterrent sprays.