No Alcohol In Nanaimo City Parks

 Alcohol Possession Brings $150 - $230 Fine

Zero Tolerance By Police

With the recent heat wave Vancouver Island is experiencing , local parks and beaches are being overrun with sun bathers attempting to cool off and find some comfort from the heat. Unfortunately some are abusing this privilege.

Police have been responding to a number of calls for service from concerned citizens at local beaches watching as persons openly consuming alcohol. The result is often broken glass,beer cans  scattered randomly and disturbances which ruin an enjoyable outing for families and young children.

In the City of Nanaimo, alcohol is prohibited inside any of their parks. The fine for possession of alcohol under the City Parks, Recreation and Culture bylaw is $150 dollars.

If you are not of legal drinking age the fines increase dramatically. A youth in possession of alcohol whether in a City park or not is now subject to a $230 dollars under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act(LCLA). Anyone found consuming is subject to the same penalty.

“These fines are stiff but the statistics show many calls for service in the summer months are for youth drinking alcohol. Knowing the fines before hand ,sometimes acts as an effective deterrent . We also find fighting and senseless acts of vandalism occur when persons over indulge. Over indulgence is not restricted to our youth but they do make up for many of the calls for service.

Go to the beaches, enjoy our parks and stay hydrated but leave your booze at home” said Constable Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson for the Nanaimo RCMP. "A zero tolerance approach is taken by this Detachment when it comes to liquor in our parks and the public can expect to see increased patrols by our officers and by City of Nanaimo Bylaw officers to curb this unwanted acitvity ".said O'Brien.