Despite local bylaws Halloween fireworks in full display across Lower Mainland
Posted November 1, 2024 8:40 am.
Last Updated November 1, 2024 4:40 pm.
Despite rules and regulations that widely ban the use of fireworks around the Lower Mainland, many people say they were kept up much of Halloween night because of them.
People say they were heard for several hours in parts of Langley, Ladner, Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
Sgt. Paul Walker with the Abbotsford Police Department tells 1130 NewsRadio that officers dealt with a “large amount” being set off throughout the community and had to wrangle some young people who “seemed to have no regard for where they were setting them off and who from the public was around.”
“Last evening the AbbyPD responded to a large number of fireworks complaints within our city particularly within the west side of Abbotsford. Violation tickets were issued along with fireworks seizures occurring,” Walker continued.
“During last night’s deployment, the common theme for a significant portion of this illegal activity was youth ranging from as young as 14 in possession of illegal fireworks.
“Parents of these youth play a significant role in assisting police in ensuring they know what their kids are up to. We’re asking parents as we move into the weekend to ensure that their children aren’t participating in this type of illegal behaviour.”
Steve lives in the Johnston Heights area in Surrey and called our newsroom on Friday morning. He says it was simply too much.
“It was crazy, especially after 9 p.m., massive explosions,” he said. “I find Surrey bylaw, they were driving around trying to catch [people], but they were being very smart about it.”
He worries people will continue shooting them in the air tonight and through the weekend.
This year, Halloween fell on Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — which is often marked with fireworks.
Fines vary from city to city with Surrey recently increasing its minimum fine from $100 to $400. The maximum was also raised from $5,000 to $50,000.
Fireworks-related arrests, injuries reported on Halloween
A police officer and two teens were injured, while others were arrested in multiple fireworks-related incidents around the Lower Mainland on Halloween.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it’s investigating after two teen boys were injured by a firecracker set off in their school hallway Thursday morning.
An unknown person allegedly set off the firecracker near the entrance to David Thompson High School’s gymnasium just after 10 a.m. Two students of the South Vancouver school were injured while walking by.
“One student was taken to hospital for a facial injury, and the second student suffered temporary loss of hearing,” said VPD.
Police say the suspect has not been identified, and it’s unclear if the suspect is also a student at the school.
The VPD’s Youth Services Section is conducting an investigation into the incident. Anyone with information to submit is asked to call investigators at 604-717-3144.
Later, police in Mission say they responded to 56 calls on Halloween night, including the scene of a gathering of an estimated 300 young people around Griner Park and Albert McMahon Elementary School.
“Police received reports of various offences, including youth assaulting another youth, rocks being thrown at a car, fireworks being shot at cars, and fireworks being set off in the direction of buildings,” the Mission RCMP reported Friday.
Mounties say they were overwhelmed by the number of people “acting recklessly.”
When an officer took one youth into his vehicle, others surrounded it, allegedly trying to open the door, spitting on, and kicking the car.
Police say another officer was hit in the face and hand with a baton while confronting another group.
“Other calls to 911 included a witness seeing approximately 100 youth surrounding police – worried that officers were in trouble – while another called after seeing youth lighting off fireworks right next to police vehicles,” Mounties said.
Mission Fire and Rescue Service helped block off streets and disperse the crowds. Police say some arrests were made and multiple tickets were issued.
Anyone wanting to report an incident from Thursday night can call the Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.
In Squamish, patrolling Mounties reported finding an estimated 100 young people setting off fireworks and lighting fires in the Garibaldi Highlands neighbourhood.
“A number of youths were physically and verbally aggressive towards police. Fireworks were directed at police and their vehicles and were set off. Additionally, some youths were in possession of bear spray, bear bangers, improvised explosive devices (IED) and wearing balaclavas,” Mounties said.
Police believe the IEDs were responsible for loud explosions heard in the area.
No one was injured by the explosives, but several youths were arrested and later released. Fireworks, bear spray, and IEDs were seized by police.
“The group or mob mentality took over and the lack of regard for any direction or guidance to leave the area were largely ignored,” said Squamish RCMP Staff Sgt. Gareth Bradley.
—With files from Cole Schisler.
