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RCMP investigating swarming attack caught on camera at Campbell River skate park 

The RCMP is investigating a violent swarming incident at the Willow Point Sportsplex skate park in Campbell River.

Cst. Maury Tyre says a video taken at the park and posted to social media, clearly shows several kids “ganging up to beat up one person.”

He says what happened in the video appears to be criminal in nature.

“If anyone, young or old, thinks that a swarming kind of behaviour is acceptable, then it’s truly time to re-assess the functionality of their moral compass,” Tyre says.

“I cannot stress to guardians enough, talk to the youth in your care (your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, foster kids) and explain to them their legal jeopardy in regards to ganging up on someone, especially if they get injured.”

Tyre says the local detachment usually deals with violent offences, property offences, bylaw and disturbance files.

“It’s no secret that a lot of these are associated to issues with illicit drugs and liquor.”

However, it appears to Tyre that recent disturbing events, like the skate park attack, are “violence for violence sake.”

While it’s not clear to him whether these events have been linked to the stresses of extended lockdown, he adds they seem to be mostly happening within the younger population.

Meanwhile, the Campbell River RCMP responded to a total of 342 files between September 10th and 16th.

So far this year, the detachment has seen a total of 11,679 files, down 53 files when compared to last year’s numbers. 

Tyre says the slight reduction of files this year is not entirely surprising, “due to the oddity of the year itself.”

He says there are fewer tourists in the community, which means fewer “clients to serve.”

“Keeping that in mind, we are still extremely busy and there is definitely extra work created by COVID and it’s related stressors. Like most people and businesses, there is simply much more work that goes into a day to ensure people are kept safe and well, and that includes ourselves.”

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