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Squamish reaches out to US tourists attacked while camping

Squamish is a safe, friendly place that loves tourists says Mayor Ian Sutherland. And that is why the town wants to pay for three US campers attacked in Squamish on Canada Day to come back and re-visit the area. "The simple fact is that 99.

Squamish is a safe, friendly place that loves tourists says Mayor Ian Sutherland.

And that is why the town wants to pay for three US campers attacked in Squamish on Canada Day to come back and re-visit the area.

"The simple fact is that 99.9 per cent of the Squamish population loves the fact that Americans come to visit us and loves the fact that tourism comes to our community," said Sutherland.

Late in the evening on Canada Day Jeremy Dahl, girlfriend Shannon Scott, and Jay Barclay were set upon by about 25 to 30 youths in a campground on Loggers Lane in Squamish.

"I got punched I don’t know how many times – at least like three or four times," said Barclay, a firefighter in Kennewick, Washington.

"And I got kicked in the face. My jaw is still sore from the ordeal."

He also ended up on antibiotics for an ear infection stemming from the beating, which left one ear black and blue.

The incident apparently started when the youths, who were partying nearby, wished Barclay and his friends a happy Canada Day. The US tourists replied by wishing the group a happy Fourth of July.

A bit more banter took place, then the U.S. campers went to bed around 12:30 a.m.

The Canadian youths returned and threw rocks at the US camper’s tents. When Barclay and Dahl stepped out of their tent the situation got ugly with one youth attacking with a knife.

Three of the tires on Barclay’s truck were slashed; his windshield was smashed, as was the hood of his car and the passenger window. Their tents, sleeping bags and other goods were also destroyed in the attack.

Dahl called the RCMP and the youths scattered upon their arrival.

Two were arrested and the police are continuing to interview people about the incident, which may lead to more charges being laid.

"Unfortunately you had a group of 20 to 25 young people who got drunk and did something really stupid," said Sutherland.

"But you have to put this in perspective . This is a group of young people that did something stupid and it could and does happen in other communities too."

"Tourism is very important to us. The Squamish area has moved forward a lot in the last few years … and we want to take advantage of that and so we are taking things like this very seriously.

" I take it very seriously, and council takes it very seriously, and the RCMP is taking it very seriously".

Dahl admits to being nervous about returning to Squamish in the short term but says he will come back when things have died down.

"We are not too excited to go back … right away," said Dahl who wants the police to take firm action against the youths that were involved.

That’s a sentiment Sutherland totally understands.

"They are feeling a little bit skittish about Squamish and rightfully so," he said.

"We want to give them a chance to really know Squamish and to understand that 99.9 per cent of the population love the fact that American tourists come here."

Squamish did redeem itself somewhat on the night of the incident as a local motel offered them a special rate, the tow truck driver helped them get their pick-up truck fixed quickly and reasonably, and a bike shop helped out too.

The story was covered by local media and both Komo and Kiro television news out of Seattle came up to cover the story.

When Gerry O’Neil saw the story in Vancouver he decided he needed to do something to repair the damage done to B.C.’s reputation.

"The attack is really not what British Columbia is all about," said O’Neil who owns and operates AAA Horse and Carriage in Stanley Park.

"I just want to give a clear message that that behaviour is not acceptable. I am just a small businessman but I am taking this very seriously because I feel that if everyone does a little bit to repair this all will benefit."

At least 85 per cent of O’Neil’s business comes from US tourists.

"We depend on them big time here and lets face it the coverage by the American TV last week on this story did not send out the message we want to get out.

"We want people to know that Canadians are not bad people and that is the message I want to get out ASAP."

He plans to bring the Americans to Vancouver for a fun-filled all expenses paid holiday weekend.

That’s a trip the trio is looking forward to and, said Barclay, all of them are trying to put the frightening incident in perspective.

"We don’t blame Canada, we don’t blame Squamish, we just blame the kids in the group," he said.

"We know it could have happened anywhere."

Meanwhile yet another camper was attacked at the same campground, Kinsmen Municipal Campground on Tuesday night.

Police were alerted that a group of youths were causing a disturbance and drinking.

A car was being driven around erratically, hitting picnic tables and doing doghnuts. When police tried to stop it the car was driven into the bush and abandoned. The car was stolen.

Six youths were detained.

During their investigation police also learned that a camper from Sechelt had been assaulted by one of the rowdies.

No charges have been laid yet.