Update: Police Conduct Checks At Pre-Grad Party

Sep 5, 2018 | 11:43 AM

Update:

RCMP are reporting little or no issues with what has become an annual start of the new school year local pre-grad party.

Cst. Kelly Brett says Mounties held a road block on Westside Road near the Sugar Loaf forest service road for about five hours overnight, until the party had ended.

“Officers report over 200 vehicles were checked at the road block who were party goers, with 90% of the vehicles driven by parents or older siblings dropping students off,” says Brett. “Most parents expressed an appreciation for the police presence and were polite and cooperative during their interactions.”

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High school students are being urged to skip the bush parties as school gets underway.

Grad parties traditionally kick off the school year, however the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are urging parents to talk to their teens about the dangers associated to these events.

RCMP Constable Kelly Brett says the parties often happen in wooded areas with no cell phone service and involve drugs and alcohol.

“Often these parties are partnered with drugs and alcohol which tend to lead to never good things,” Brett told Beach Radio News.

She says that in the past there have been tragic consequences and warns that drugs growing more dangerous.

We encourage the kids to acknowledge their final year of high school, be leaders and examples for those who follow and celebrate responsibly, says Brett. Starting off your school year with regret, potential loss of friends or criminal charges is not the way you want to start your final year.

School District 22 superintendent Joe Rogers is urging parents to speak to their kids.

School District 22 does not condone unsanctioned activities, including grad parties. We encourage parents to have what may be difficult conversations with their children, explaining the potential dangers at bush parties, says Rogers. Even those students who plan to attend and not drink, things can quickly escalate into a bad situation. For students that attend the party, and attend school the next day in an altered state, it is important to note, there will be consequences for their actions.

Officers will be patrolling rural areas known to police for grad parties and have received information from concerned parents regarding the location, date and times of these events.

by Kate Bouey