Approximately 3,000 people flocked to Tulameen over the long weekend for the annual Tulameen Days festival, and RCMP are calling the event a success for both policing and the community.
“Essentially we flooded Tulameen with police and the response from the residents was amazing. They were just thanking us over and over for a safe Tulameen Days,” said Sergeant Robert Hughes.
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Hughes recruited five officers from Surrey to assist with patrols.
While there were no significant problems, there was enforcement, he added.
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Police issued tickets for public drinking and alcohol in vehicles.
One man was charged with impaired driving and his vehicle was seized while another man - from Princeton - had two vehicles seized in the same day.
“Some people just don’t learn,” said Hughes. The driver was charged in for driving while prohibited, and then later was caught driving a different vehicle.
Three drivers fled from police - one of them in a golf cart.
The driver of a side-by-side that evaded a traffic stop was eventually tracked down in Princeton after the off road vehicle had been trailered.
“He got $1,100 worth of fines,” said Hughes.
Police also issued several tickets - costing $311 each - to drivers with passengers in the back of their pick up trucks, or riding on boats or jet skis while they were being towed.
Related: “We are extremely lucky that it wasn’t a fatality”
For the first time RCMP set up a booth to promote off road vehicle safety, and issued 155 permits to visitors allowing them to drive on a limited number of streets.
“I’m just so proud of all my guys. It was unbelievable,” said Hughes.
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