Salmo RCMP, along with West Kootenay Traffic Services Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU), have released their report for the recent Shambhala Festival, which took place Aug. 6-14 on a 200+ acre private property site near Salmo.
"The Shambhala Event Security group again this year has played an important role in dealing with attendees," said staff sergeant Dan Seibel of the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment of the RCMP. "This includes traffic control from Highway 3 into the site, inspecting vehicles entering the festival and resolving problems throughout the weekend. As in past years, the Security staff continue to be extremely helpful and professional throughout the event."
The Village of Salmo population is approximately 1,200 people and the Salmo RCMP has a regular staff of four officers. As with any significant special event, there’s a large number of out of town citizens arriving in Salmo to attend this festival.
Attendance at Shambhala is limited to 10,000 people and there was over 1,000 volunteers, staff, entertainers and employees associated to the various music bands and commercial vendors and booths at the site. Most attendees travel to the festival via motor vehicle resulting in a considerable increase in traffic for area residents.
"In an effort to keep area roadways safe, Police maintain a strong presence on the highways prior to, during and immediately following Shambhala," said Seibel. "Numerous Traffic Road Checks, as well as enforcement and patrols, were conducted within the Village of Salmo, as well as the surrounding roadways within the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment area, such as Highway 3, Highway 3A and Highway 6."
Shambhala 2012 was also marred by the first death in the 15 year history of the event. On Sunday, Aug. 19, 23 year-old Mitchell Fleischacker of Sidney, BC, died of an apparent overdose at the festival.
1. Report from Salmo Detachment
During the August 6 - 14 time period, Salmo RCMP were involved in the following Controlled Drug and Substances Act/ Criminal Code investigations and will be recommending the following charges:
- Three (3) Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
(Drugs located and seized by Salmo RCMP- cocaine, GHB (liquid), Mushrooms, ecstacy pills, marihuana, LSD (sheet form) )
- Two (2) Counts - Breach of Conditions
- One (1) Count- Assault
There were two more suspects issued Promise to Appears for court for Assault allegations, another male arrested and released for court on a sexual assault allegation. These matters are presently still under investigation.
Salmo Detachment Traffic Charges:
- 2 Impaired Driving cases
- 8 reported Driving complaints where Violation Tickets were issued
- 3 reported Collisions where Violation Tickets were issued
- 2 Written Warnings
- 8 other Violation Tickets issued.
It is with sadness to include a Sudden Death Investigation involving a 23 year old male subject from Sidney, B.C. in this year's report. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the deceased's family and friends. While not official at this time, the subject is believed to have suffered cardiac arrest due to a drug overdose. The lead investigating agency in this matter is now the B.C. Coroner's Service.
2. Report from West Kootenay Traffic Services, Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU)
Between August 6 and August 14 the West Kootenay Traffic members, with the assistance by the Nelson Police Department, several local RCM Police Detachments, Police Dog Services and an Advanced Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) Unit, roving patrols were conducted along with road checks to detect high risk drivers traveling to and from the Shambhala Music Festival.
FINAL STATS: charges/files aquired by IRSU and West Kootenay Traffic Services members.
SPEEDING...............................................118
EXCESSIVE SPEED Vehicle Impoundment.....2
NO DRIVERS LICENCE...............................31
DRIVE CONTRARY TO RESTRICTIONS........17
NOVICE (drive contrary to conditions) .......16
NO INSURANCE..........................................5
SEATBELTS.............................................37
INTERSECTION OFFENCES.........................8
MOVING - ELECTONIC DEVICE....................7
OTHER TRAFFIC......................................22
DRIVE WHILE PROHIBITED........................10
VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT............................1
24 HOUR SUSPENSION ALCOHOL................2
24 HOUR SUSPENSION DRUGS...................2
IMPAIRED DRIVING DRUGS.........................2
IMPAIRED DRIVING ALCOHOL.....................1
LIQUOR CONTROL ACT - ALCOHOL CHARGES.....8
CRIMINAL (POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY - ICBC DECAL)......1
DRUG CASES/DRUGS SEIZED:
CANNABIS.....................41
ECSTACY - MDMA..........16
PSILOCYBIN ...................6
HASH.............................1
LSD................................2
KETAMINE.......................1
RITALIN..........................1
TRAFFICKING..................1
DRUG PROPERTY SEIZED (related to above)...17
NOTICE/ORDERS VARIOUS WARNINGS/EQUIPMENT DEFECTS....31