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Local officials concerned over bear spray incidents

Oct 19, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Despite the recent rash of criminal incidents involving the use of bear spray, it appears the numbers may be on the decline.  

Bear spray (sometimes known as bear mace) is a type of capsaicin that is primarily used to protect hunters or those who travel in wooded areas against aggressive bears. However, in recent years the pressurized propellant has been used in a large number criminal offenses in Saskatchewan.

In the past few weeks, Battlefords RCMP have been kept busy with several incidents in which thieves used the spray to incapacitate their victims during the course of the offense and have caught the attention of local officials.

North Battleford mayor Ryan Bater said that city council is concerned with the increased numbers in bear spray incidents and are looking to see what can be done from a city perspective.

“We (city council) have been doing some work over the past few weeks to see what options we have as a municipality,” said Bater. “It is troubling to see that the number of incidents over the past few weeks has seemed to pick up.”

Bater said that he recently reached out to other municipalities to see what is being done in those communities.

“We discovered that Prince Albert has implemented a registry for bear spray,” Bater added. “It seems to have worked, as they have had great success in their city getting the numbers down.”

Inspector Jason Stonechild with Prince Albert Police Services reported that bear spray incidents have dropped for a third straight year in the city. So far this year, there have been 44 reported incidents involving bear spray compared to 84 last year and 117 that were reported in 2015.

Stonechild attributes the drop in bear spray incidents to the local businesses community for using responsible sales practices when it comes to such items.

“There were a few local businesses that recognized that bear spray was becoming a real issue,” said Stonechild. “A couple of businesses have discontinued selling such items which certainly helps.”

Stonechild added those businesses that continue to sell bear spray have moved the items off the shelves and placed it in secure display cases or out of sight all together which deters theft.

During the course of battlefordsNOW’s investigation, we learned only one local merchant in the area currently sells bear spray. The merchant, who asked to remain anonymous, said they have removed bear spray from the store shelves and will not sell to anyone who is underage or who does not have appropriate identification.

“We wanted to assist the RCMP in any way we can,” said the store manager. “We will ask for ID and if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol we will not sell you bear spray.”

Cpl. James Fenrich of the Battlefords RCMP reported that there was a significant increase in incidents involving bear spray in the Battlefords area in 2016. However, as is the case in Prince Albert, numbers appear to be down so far this year.

“Compared to the numbers at this point last year we are encouraged to see the numbers decreased so far,” said Fenrich. “We finished 2016 with 46 cases involving bear spray and this year we have 30 to date.”

Fenrich added that in 2015 there were just 13 incidents were bear spray was involved.

As it pertains to accessibility of bear spray in the local area, Fenrich feels that criminals are getting bear spray out of town or perhaps online.

“With the cooperation we have received from the local business community in regards to the problem, we know [bear spray is] coming from outside of the area,” said Fenrich. “Not every community has a bylaw in place prohibiting the selling of bear spray, so it remains a concern.”

According to the Criminal Code of Canada it is not illegal to own bear spray, however it is illegal to use bear spray for use against a human.

“People need to keep in mind that bear spray is a weapon and the RCMP treats it as such,” added Fenrich. “If you are caught using bear spray for any reason other than protecting yourself from wildlife, you will be charged.”

In a recent battlefordsNOW poll, 81 percent of respondents think that bear spray should be regulated better in the area while 14 percent disagreed.

 

With files from paNOW.

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter