The Second North Battleford Scouts had all their camping items stolen when their storage shed was broken into recently. Shown is the empty shed after the incident. (submitted photo/William Picard) 

By Angela Brown

RCMP investigation

RCMP ask for public’s help after all Scouts’ camping gear stolen

May 25, 2020 | 2:06 PM

The RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance after the Second North Battleford Scout’s had thousands of dollars in camping equipment stolen after a break-in at their storage shed.

William Picard, one of the leaders for the Scouts, said in a Facebook message to battlefordsNOW initially it appeared between May 11 and 12 suspects cut the lock to the Scout’s storage shed in the industrial park, but nothing was taken.

The Scouts attempted to re-secure the door of the shed and screwed it shut, he said. But over the May long weekend, culprits tore off the door and stole all the valuable camping gear. The equipment included eight four-man tents, two cook-house tents, several camping/hiking duffle bags, cooking stoves, tarps and multiple sets of cooking gear that were in large totes.

“The Second North Battleford Scouts has recently worked very hard fundraising for future jamborees, but now will have to work even harder to recuperate the loss of gear so that they can actually camp,” Picard said.

Shown are some of the tents that were taken. (submitted photo/William Picard)

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Scout section leader Jennifer Robbins said she is feeling a combination of disappointment and anger to see all the equipment the kids use for camping now gone.

While the non-profit organization has insurance, the items will be costly to replace.

“Hopefully, it’s enough to recover what we need in order to function and operate,” she said.

The group was initially expecting to participate in a camping trip in June, before the COVID-19 pandemic changed their plans.

Robbins said even if they were able to proceed they would have a difficult time doing so now with such a great loss.

“If we were going to camp next week as planned, it would be a scramble,” she said.

The group plans to beef up its security, she said, and possibly install a surveillance camera as another means to protect supplies.

Battlefords RCMP Staff Sgt. Jason Teniuk said police continue to investigate.

“It’s a community group that is heavily involved with the youth here. It’s not going to be any easy pill for them to swallow, to lose this much equipment,” he said. “It’s a bit of a difficult and frustrating situation for everyone involved here. We would certainly like to do what we can to rectify this situation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow