BC

Kamloops Mounties will be ready to deal with the expected increase in Halloween calls tonight.

Police will deploy 30 uniformed officers, six Auxiliary officers, a police dog and RCMP helicopter as part of a plan to safelt deal with additional calls for service.

Staff Sgt. Grant Learned says this presence more than doubles the number of uniformed RCMP officers on the streets as part of an overall objective to keep people safe and property secure by minimizing liquor, drug and fireworks related offences.

Along with the heightened RCMP presence three city bylaw officers, three Liquor Control inspectors and CN Police will also be deployed.

Learned says a majority of calls on Halloween come in between 8 p.m. and midnight and deal mainly with complaints about fireworks and fires, property damage, personal assaults and injuries, liquor related offences, out of control house parties and large groups of roving youths causing damage, committing thefts and disturbing the peace.

Over the last three years Kamloops RCMP have dealt with about 225 calls from the public on Halloween night.

He says calls for police service will be addressed in strategic priority focusing on threats to personal and public safety, damage to property and assets, public order and disturbances.

To prevent problems from starting, Learned says officers will pro-actively engage in opportunities to minimize risks associated to fireworks being used or possessed illegally and liquor being consumed or possessed illegally.

Liquor and fireworks being used or possessed illegally will be seized.