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Crime about to rise in Penticton

There is a scheduled uptick in crime coming to Penticton next week, and many will be taken into custody on trumped up charges.
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Debbie Scarborough of the South Okanagan Women in Need Society laughs as she has her charges read to her by Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth at last year's Jail n' Bail fundraiser. The second annual event is scheduled for Wednesday

There is a scheduled uptick in crime coming to Penticton next week, and many will be taken into custody on trumped up charges.

The second annual Penticton Jail ’n’ Bail on June 15 is taking upstanding citizens of Penticton into custody to raise funds for a single parent and teacher, Regine Siemons, who is currently battling cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society.

The search is on for “criminals” in the form of bosses, co-workers, colleagues and friends to get “arrested” for any and every offence possible. In the inaugural event last year charges were laid against Coun. Tarik Sayeed for wearing flip flops at a council meeting, Coun. Max Picton was cited for wearing too many vests and Canadian Tire owner Doug MacMillan got arrested last year for driving around in his Porsche too often.

The funds raised benefit a cause that hits home for many.

One of the most incredible parts of the event (last year) was as me and the police officer arrested people they all had stories of how cancer affected their lives or people they were close to, so everyone had a really personal story about it,” said Kerri Milton, executive director of the Downtown Penticton Association, who are sponsoring the event alongside the Canadian Cancer Society, the RCMP, Starbucks, Guerard’s Furniture and the City of Penticton.

RCMP will be making the rounds on the day in question, so don’t be alarmed if you see Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth, Const. Ryan Shedden or auxiliary volunteer Bruce Hagerman in your workplace, handcuffs in tow. This year, the event will take place on Backstreet Boulevard with Guerard’s providing the furniture and Starbucks is providing beverages.

The DPA is encouraging funny and wacky charges to be listed, and once arrested those in “custody” will be aiming to raise enough for their release.

Be as creative as possible and reach out to your friends and work network for driving up those bail amounts because it all goes to a good cause,” Milton said.

The trickiest arrest last year, according to Milton, was Justin White, financial advisor for Edward Jones.

Every time he would slide out a different door, not knowing he would be arrested. We ended up chasing him down two blocks and down a back alley before we finally caught him,” Milton laughed.

For more information on how to get your friend or coworker arrested, contact Bev at 250-493-8540 or email info@downtownpenticton.org.