With a "strong presence" in the village, Whistler RCMP was able to intervene in "a couple of weapons-related calls and fights," ultimately "preventing serious injury or loss of life to anyone," according to a release.
In all, 17 provincial violation tickets were issued for possession of open liquor; four for public intoxication; two for minors in possession of liquor; and four for various motor-vehicle infractions. Last year, police issued a total of approximately 60 violation tickets. Authorities also handed out 87 bylaw tickets for possession of open liquor, four bylaw tickets for public nuisance, and one bylaw ticket for obstruction over the weekend.
A roadblock south of Brandywine on Friday, May 18 saw officers check approximately 3,000 vehicles in a six-hour span. Staff Sgt. Paul Hayes said "upwards of a dozen cars" were taken off the road as a result.
Whistler's May long weekend became notorious over the years for rampant vandalism and a rise in violent incidents, including the fatal stabbing of a Burnaby teenager in 2015. But with an increased police presence and the municipality's focus on shifting the holiday's culture, Hayes believes the tide has turned.
"We're seeing (the number of incidents) coming down and I think that has a large part to do with the RMOW trying to change the focus, and of course our increased presence," he noted. "I think we've struck a pretty good balance at this point."
Surrey man arrested for alleged sex assault at village hotel
The RCMP responded to a report of a sexual assault at a village hotel in the early hours of Saturday, May 19, police confirmed.
The complainant was in the suspect's room when he allegedly "forced himself on the victim," police said.
Officers tracked down the suspect, a 22-year-old Surrey man, at a village nightclub the following night. He was arrested and subsequently released with a court date in North Vancouver scheduled for August.
North Vancouver men arrested for allegedly assaulting cops
Two North Vancouver men are facing charges after they reportedly assaulted Whistler RCMP officers who were attempting to break up a fight.
Just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, officers on foot patrol in the village noticed a pair of males fighting while a third joined in. Once separated, the officers approached the aggressor and two of his associates, at which point, one of the suspects pushed his friend into an officer, injuring his knee, A second member of the group also attempted to kick another officer and was arrested.
The 21- and 22-year-old men now face charges of assaulting a police officer, obstructing a police officer, and causing a disturbance, the RCMP said.
Intoxicated man caught impersonating officer
Pro tip: If you're going to get drunk and don a police uniform, it's probably not a good idea to do so on a weekend when the village is swarming with Mounties.
That's just what happened on the evening of Sunday, May 20, when officers on foot patrol were alerted to an intoxicated male wearing a ceremonial RCMP Red Serge tunic.
Once police tracked down the suspect at a nearby pub, they were informed that bar staff had already asked him to leave—to no avail. The intrepid imposter was eventually arrested for public intoxication, and a subsequent search uncovered that he was in possession of approximately 3.3 grams of ketamine.
The 38-year-old Whistler man now faces several charges.
Police also seized the Red Serge tunic, and an investigation is ongoing to "determine its origin," according to a release.
