A week after Prince George RCMP issued a statement outlining that the detachment puts a lot of time and effort into dealing with chronically intoxicated people, particularly in the downtown core, it has released a detailed report on ‘Welfare Wednesday.’
On Wednesday October 23 monthly income assistance payments were issued to those in need. Historically, this day and the following days are among the busiest of the month for the police.
The Prince George RCMP’s Downtown Safety Unit with the assistance of the General Duty Section, made 13 arrests and issued 14 violation tickets in downtown Prince George.
- Just after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, a member of the Downtown Safety Unit observed a woman smoking drugs near the corner of Tenth Avenue and Brunswick Street. The 38-year-old was arrested for drug possession. The investigation is continuing. This woman has been the subject of no less than 17 police investigations so far this year.
- Just before 9 a.m., members of the Downtown Safety Unit located and arrested a 33-year-old individual who was wanted for a robbery that had occurred the day before at a business on Austin Road.
- At approximately 9 a.m., staff confronted a shoplifter at which time the accused pulled out an uncapped needle and threatened the staff member. The accused fled and police were called. Through investigation, the identity of the suspect was obtained, leading to the arrest Wednesday morning. The accused has been charged with failing to comply with a recognizance. The individual has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on October 30. Police have had more than 40 contacts with this person so far in 2019.
- At approximately 10:15 a.m., members of the Downtown Safety Unit conducted a roadside check of a vehicle near Ninth Avenue and Vancouver Street. A 47-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were arrested for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after officers located bear spray in the vehicle. A stolen credit card, a quantity of methamphetamine, break and enter tools and other weapons were also located in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.
- Around noon, members of the Prince George RCMP’s Downtown Safety Unit attended a second floor apartment on the 1400 block of Third Avenue in an attempt to locate 26-year-old Johnny James Boys, who was wanted on arrest warrants. Shortly after knocking on the apartment door and announcing “police,” Boys was seen fleeing from the exterior window of the apartment onto an adjacent roof. Officers soon followed suit. The suspect was located hiding in a ventilation shaft on another roof and was arrested. During the search incidental to arrest, Boys was found in possession of a significant amount of cash, cocaine and methamphetamine. The investigation is continuing.
- Just after noon, a member of the Downtown Safety Unit observed a 59-year-old man consuming an open can of liquor near the corner of Third Avenue and Dominion Street. The man was intoxicated and subsequently arrested. Police computer checks found the man was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from another community for sexual assault. He was held in custody until sober and then released on a promise to appear on the sex assault charge. As directed by law, police had no choice but to release him with a court date. Just before noon the next day (Thursday October 24th), the same man was found consuming alcohol near the intersection of Tenth Avenue and Victoria Street. He was once again arrested and lodged until sober. So far in 2019, this man has been lodged into cells 12 times for being drunk and unable to take care of himself.
- Just before 1 p.m., two officers were on patrol near Second Avenue and Quebec Street when they observed a man smoking cannabis at a bus stop. He was issued a violation ticket under the Cannabis Control and Licencing Act. The 33-year-old man was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to comply with probation from another community. He was arrested and later released on a promise to appear in court at a future date. As directed by law, police had no choice but to release him with a court date. Since moving to Prince George this summer, this man has had four negative contacts with police.
- At approximately 2:40 p.m., a member of the Downtown Safety Unit recognized 45-year-old Crystal Arndt, who had an arrest warrant for failing to comply with probation. She was arrested and held overnight for court the next day. She was released and is scheduled to make her next appearance in court on November 13.
- At approximately 3:45 p.m., the Prince George RCMP received a report of a shoplifting that had just occurred from a retail business near 15th Avenue and Victoria Street. Frontline officers attended and located the suspect on Redwood Street. The 29-year-old man was found in possession of items from the store. The staff from the business refused to provide a statement to police, resulting in the suspect being released without charge. At approximately 5:10 p.m., the same man was observed consuming drugs near the corner of Second Avenue and George Street. He displayed clear signs of impairment and was arrested and lodged in cells until sober. At about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday October 24, the same man was the subject of a report to police at the library. The man had passed out and refused to leave when woken. When police arrived, the man was compliant and able to care for himself. On Friday October 25, police received another report about the same man who was once again at the library. When security asked the male to leave, he became aggressive and assaulted a security guard. Officers located the suspect and arrested him for assault and mischief. Charges have not yet been approved. The investigation is continuing. This man has been the subject of 29 police investigations in 2019. Most were related to drugs and/or property crime.
- A 45-year-old man was arrested near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Brunswick Street after officers observed him and checked his well-being. This is the sixth time this year he has been arrested for being intoxicated.
- A 53-year-old man was found near the corner of 12th Avenue and Vancouver Street. His level of intoxication made it impossible for him to take care of himself. He was arrested and lodged until sober. He has been in police custody due to intoxication over 25 times so far this year.
- A 56-year-old cyclist was found riding the wrong way down Second Avenue. He was found to be intoxicated and lodged in cells until sober. Upon his release, he was also issued violation tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act for no helmet, riding the wrong way and careless cycling. This was the third time this year he was in cells due to intoxication.
- A 61-year-old man was found intoxicated near Second Avenue and Dominion Street. He was lodged in cells until sober and able to take care of himself. This was the second time this year he was in cells due to intoxication.