While graffiti has long been the bane of cities and towns, the Whistler RCMP are actively pursuing one or more taggers for vandalism and damage to Whistler properties.
The RCMP have received at least half a dozen reports of structures that have been targetted by taggers, who use spray paint and markers to put stylized signatures on objects around town.
However, while some tags are random, there are many that are likely the work of the same person.
One tag that has shown up recently shows the initials F.T.B., which they believe is an acronym for "F- The Bus." It has been spotted in the Upper Village, at the Whistler Blackcomb administrative building, the gondola station, pathways to the day lots, in the day lots and at the bus loop, at the Starbucks in Marketplace and the RCMP detachment itself. The tagger has included arrows on many tags, pointing to other graffiti.
As well, the RCMP are also attempting to find a tagger that has painted "Kiki" on buildings around town, including the wood cladding on Fitzsimmons Walk parkade in Creekside.
Anyone who sees tagging or graffiti taking place on private or public property is asked to contract the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044. Anyone with information is asked to come forward to the police, or make a report to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
If you have been targeted, the RCMP suggest repairing the damage as soon as possible to discourage other taggers.
RCMP identify suspects in drug bust
During the May long weekend the Whistler RCMP executed a warrant at a residence on Northlands Boulevard on the suspicion of trafficking drugs. They arrested two residents for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
The suspects appear in court on June 16 and have been identified as 27-year-old Casey Steve Beauregard and 22-year-old Haley McLeish. The charges reference cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy.
Other charges are pending, including against a male who attempted to flee from the property and was apprehended with drugs on his person. Roughly a dozen people were at the residence at the time of the raid.
Fraudster pleads guilty
On June 7 Peter Kemp plead guilty for defrauding Whistler residents looking to rent accommodations in October 28, before the start of the ski season. Kemp presented himself as the property manager in the scam.
As well, Kemp did not pay for his accommodation at a local bed and breakfast, or a bar tab at a local establishment.
Kemp, who no longer lives in Whistler, plead guilty in Provincial Court on two counts of False Pretence Under $5,000. He was placed on 18 months probation and ordered to pay restitution to his victims by the end of November 2010.
Motorcycle, bikes stolen
A resident of Alpine Meadows reported his red 2009 Kawasaki 250cc street legal dirt bike stolen from a strata parking area on the morning of June 6. The bike had two identifying stickers, "SLUSH" on the front licence plate and "Social Distortion" on a side panel below the driver's seat.
Three bike thefts were also reported this week. On June 4 two reports came in. The first was a mountain bike that was locked to a wire fence outside a residence on Bishop Way, and the second was a bike left unlocked on St. Andrews Way.
On June 7 the RCMP received a report of a missing bike that was taken from outside a residence on Panorama Ridge.
Man arrested for trafficking
RCMP on a patrol of the conference centre underground lot at 12:30 a.m. on June 6 noticed two males acting suspiciously, and upon investigation they observed that the male was carrying a marijuana grinder. After arrest and search the RCMP discovered ecstasy, marijuana, pipes and a weigh scale. An 18-year-old resident is now facing charges of trafficking.
Impaired drivers nabbed
An off-duty police officer observed a southbound vehicle crossing the centre line near the heliport at 5:30 p.m. on June 5 and called it in. The vehicle was stopped in the Nesters area, and subsequently a 31-year-old from Revelstoke tested positive with two samples of .09 per cent to warrant an impaired driving charge and driving over 0.08. As well, the police found a small amount of cocaine in the vehicle and drug related charges are being considered.
At 1:30 a.m. on June the RCMP stopped at vehicle at Highway 99 and Alta Vista, who later provided samples of 0.170 and 0.150. The driver, a 26-year-old from Whistler, was also found in possession of a small amount of cocaine.
