The first long weekend that kicks off the summer season in the South Okanagan was relatively uneventful in Penticton for RCMP.
“We were busy like any long weekend with visitors but it was basically uneventful for us,” said Sgt. Rick Dellebuur. “There wasn’t many arrests. On Friday they didn’t have any arrests and Saturday night was looking to be the same.”
The RCMP gang task force was in Kelowna as members of the Hells Angels were expected to gather in both that city and Campbell River for an event.
“The task force paid us a visit, but they were coming and going between both places. There was a number of Hells Angels in town for the Show and Shine, and whenever the biker groups are in town the gang task force usually stops in to see whose who and watch to see if there are any problems or concerns,” said Dellebuur.
The weather also put a cloud over a lot of activity said police. The rain and cloudy conditions helped keep people on their best behaviour.
“Weather certainly plays a part. When you get a hot, hot weekend and people are out drinking and laying on the beaches then that evening might be busy. But both Friday and Saturday it got rainy and cloudy and put a damper on some of that stuff,” said Dellebuur.
While the police did let their presence be known with lots of cars and officers out on the highways and streets, Dellebuur said it won’t be until the end of June before a bigger effort to heighten visibility will be cast.
“We are looking for more of the enhanced summer policing patrols to begin at the end of June when the city hosts the Peach City Beach Cruise and Elvis Festival. Then we will be calling out our bike patrols, foot patrols and boat patrols,” said Dellebuur.