Extra manpower and proactive patrols helped keep Halloween hijinks in check, say Port Moody police and Coquitlam RCMP.
Const. Sam Zacharias, of the Port Moody Police Department (PMPD), said while Thursday, Oct. 31, was a “steady evening” for its officers, most of the 20 calls it received until midnight were complaints about fireworks and noise disturbances.
Zacharias said despite Port Moody’s ban on setting off fireworks without a permit that came into effect last year, there were still several scofflaws. Their fireworks were seized and “there was plenty of education and enforcement of the new bylaw changes,” he said.
Zacharias said PMPD bolstered its ranks with “a large contingent” of volunteers and reserve constables also patrolling the streets.
“We were proactive,” he said, adding officers patrolled local schools and parks to prevent property damage.
Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said its officers were also busy with calls about fireworks as well as loud parties and large gatherings in parks.
But, she said, “this is consistent with previous years.”
Hodgins said the detachment increased the number of officers out on patrol to help deal with the boost in pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
She said there were “no major traffic or road concerns.”
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