The second Saturday of the Crankworx freeride mountain bike festival is one of the busiest nights for the resort year-round with 94 per cent occupancy. Occupancy has also been about 10 per cent higher during the 10-day festival than the average for the summer months.
To keep the peace, the RCMP is bringing in additional resources to enhance its presence through the festival - more foot patrols through the village, more bike patrols through parks, more vehicle patrols through neighbourhoods and additional traffic safety checks on the roads. There will be zero tolerance for the possession of open alcohol or criminal activity.
As well, the RCMP is reminding people to safeguard their property, and in particular bikes. There has been a rash of thefts recently, and Crankworx - where mountain bikers come from around the world - has been a target of thieves in past years.
In fact, one bike belonging to a competitor was taken from the top of the Canadian Downhill Course on July 17 - a 2011 Specialized Demo 2 worth over $5,000.
The rate of bike thefts has gone down in the last week. On July 15, the RCMP received a report that a $300 bike was taken from outside the library. That afternoon they got a call regarding a Specialized Demo FSR 8 worth $4,500 that was taken from a rack outside a local business. The thief cut the cable to get the bike. That evening, they received a report of a Specialized Big Hit that was taken from the side of a residence on Crabapple, worth approximately $1,000.
On July 17 at 1:55 a.m. a male reported that his bike, a Specialized P2 dirt jumper, had been stolen from the front of the bus. He had taken the bus home to Alpine, but forgot to remove the bike. The driver was not sure who took the bike or where.
Suspects sought in store assault
Police investigating incident that saw males try to force entry
The RCMP is reviewing surveillance footage after a staff member at a Whistler fast food restaurant was attacked following the ejection of some males from her establishment just before 2 a.m. on July 17.
According to the RCMP, one male pushed open the door that the employee was attempting to close and slapped her with an open hand. Once the door was closed one of the males threw a rock through the windows, which grazed the employee's arm. She was not seriously injured. The police are continuing to investigate.
Man ticketed for causing collision
A man in an SUV was given several tickets after driving into the path of another SUV owned by Whistler Fire Services just after 1:30 p.m. on July 15.
According to the RCMP, the driver turned at Highway 99 and Lorimer while in the northbound lane. He was attempting to turn west onto Lorimer. He did not see the oncoming vehicle as he pulled into traffic and was talking on a cell phone at the time.
The damage to the fire vehicle is estimated at $4,000 while the driver's own vehicle sustained roughly $2,000 in damage. He was ticketed for using an electronic device while driving and for failing to yield.
Motorcycles reported stolen
Bicycles aren't the only two-wheeled vehicles that are going missing in Whistler. The past week the RCMP received reports regarding two stolen motorcycles.
On July 13, the RCMP received a report that a small 80cc Giovanni dirt bike with red panels was taken from outside a home on Cheakamus Way in Nordic, taking place before July 6 - during a rash of bike and property thefts. The bike was locked with a chain that was cut by the thief.
On July 14, the RCMP received a report regarding a 1983 Honda Motorcycle that was stolen from outside a unit between 10 p.m. the previous night and 10:30 a.m. that morning - also in Nordic. The motorcycle was orange in colour and had the plate K53 154.
If you have any information regarding any thefts of property in Whistler, contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
