North Vancouver RCMP warn of growing number of weapon-wielding youths
North Vancouver RCMP is warning parents and teenagers of the dangers of weapons following an increase in armed youth in the community.
Over the past two weeks, Mounties have dealt with 10 instances of youth carrying replica guns, knives, or homemade weapons, North Vancouver RCMP said in a release Tuesday.
During one of those interactions, officers from the RCMP’s Youth Support Team confronted youth with knives and homemade tasers near a school. In another, youth officers came across a youth carrying makeshift weapons while patrolling local trails.
Const. Mansoor Sahak, media relations officer for the North Vancouver RCMP, said the police are “extremely concerned” with the increase in weapons youth are carrying.
“Weapons such as these can cause disagreements to spiral out of control and can result in an escalated police response that has the potential to ultimately place the public, the youth, and the police in harm's way,” he said.
Police are asking parents to discuss the dangers and consequences of carrying a weapon with their children, the statement said. While possession of an airsoft gun is legal, criminal charges can be laid if the replica is concealed or used to threaten, intimidate, or assault others.
“We take the carrying of weapons seriously and should a youth be found in possession of a weapon they may face significant consequences including a criminal charge,” said Const. Paul Reece with the North Vancouver RCMP’s Youth Support Team.
“We encourage parents to have conversations about these types of incidents and reinforce that carrying weapons can only cause harm, there is no upside.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defence fire.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, police said, in the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure.
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
An unconscious individual was found in the 600-block area of Lancaster Avenue early Christmas Eve morning, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
Dr. Theresa Tam shares her top health concerns for Canada in 2025
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.