Delta Police and Delta Fire Department saw plenty of action during the Halloween weekend, particularly when it came to fireworks, loud get-togethers and motor vehicle incidents.
From Friday to Sunday, the DPD accumulated 20 different files for fireworks-related calls and six for noisy party complaints, says spokesperson Cris Leykauf. Officers also dealt with a quickly-resolved high-risk missing person, and a call that was initially for littering.
“Officers approached the [idling] vehicle and then were able to see that the occupants had a number of weapons in plain view. Our officers seized fireworks, lighters, a knife, bear spray and a baton – all from noticing someone littering,” says Leykauf.
Delta Fire Chief Guy McKintuck says firefighters attended 66 incidents during the weekend – though not all were related to Halloween-specific doings – with 30 of them being medical calls.
Of the 30, two of them were for fireworks-caused facial injuries.
“Those injuries and accidents are avoidable. I think it’s really important that people understand using fireworks, how they’re not intended to be used, can potentially be very dangerous. When people choose not to follow the directions, they’re increasing their risk of injury,” says McKintuck.
Enforcing the fireworks ban in Delta is tricky business as it’s relatively easy to purchase them outside of the city and bring them in, acknowledges McKintuck, which is clearly what some folks did.
Both the DPD and fire department are continuing to put out messaging informing the public that fireworks, without a permit, are not allowed.
Over the weekend, Delta Fire also attended 13 motor vehicle incidents, with two pedestrians being struck as part of that number.
“When it’s nice out, clear and not raining, you have more people that are active on Halloween night, and also the night Halloween lands – like, on a weekend – it’s more likely that kids will probably be out later. But realistically, when I look at our calls, it doesn’t really indicate that there was a big issue with kids causing too many issues,” he said.
