Using bear spray to commit mischief is a serious offence warn Yellowknife RCMP, after another incident involving bear spray in the city.
At approximately 5:35 p.m., on Monday, September 30, Yellowknife RCMP received a report of a light odor of what is believed to be bear spray on the third floor of an apartment building on 52nd Avenue.
“There have been a few incidents involving bear spray lately in Yellowknife, states Sgt Yannick Hamel, Yellowknife RCMP Operations Manager. Bear spray is a noxious substance that can be harmful when used on humans. Devices that deploy a liquid, spray, powder, gas, or any other substance “for the purpose of injuring, immobilizing or otherwise incapacitating any person” are classified as prohibited weapons under the Criminal Code.
RCMP members, the City of Yellowknife Fire Division, Medical Emergency Services (EMS) and Municipal Enforcement Division (MED), attended the building.
Residents of the building were evacuated and no residents suffered from exposure. No resident was specifically targeted the RCMP said.
The City of Yellowknife Fire Division used pressure fans to decontaminate the building.
“These calls are taken seriously and they monopolize valuable resources that could be used elsewhere in the event of an actual emergency,” Sgt Hamel said.
The Yellowknife RCMP has no suspect yet. However, the investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 nwtnutips.com, (click on “submit a web tip”) or text: “nwtnutips” plus your message to 274637.
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