Squamish RCMP members were busier than usual with the crowds in town for the Squamish Valley Music Festival. Of the 321 police files for the past week, 110 were related to the festival, according to police.
The majority of festival-related files were minor disturbances, disputes, assaults, drug seizures, missing persons and traffic incidents, police said.
Over the four-day festival, 35 arrested suspects were brought to the jail and 56 violation tickets were issued – for Liquor Act and traffic offences.
In one incident that garnered media attention, a teenager attempted to kiss a female CBC reporter on the cheek and take a selfie while she was doing a live broadcast at the festival on August 7. Although he was not initially identified, the teen came forward on August 10 and apologized to the reporter, police said. The reporter accepted his apology and requested that no further police action be taken.
Overall, the festival was orderly and free of significant public-safety issues, according to RCMP.
Sexual assault
A young man from Squamish allegedly groped and hugged a female who was pushing him away at the Squamish Valley Music Festival, according to Squamish RCMP. A report of the incident was received Sunday, August 10.
No arrest has been made and the matter is still being investigated, police said.
Theft of climbing gear
A vehicle parked in the lot at Garibaldi Park was broken into and the victim’s U.S. passport as well as other ID and personal items and climbing gear were stolen on Monday August 3, police report.
Business B&E
A report was received of a break and enter in progress at a business compound in the 1100 block of Magee Street on Tuesday, August 4. A suspect reportedly jumped over the fence. Police responded immediately but could not locate a suspect. The suspect may have entered the building through an unlocked door, police said. Nothing was taken.
B&E
A residence in the 1300 block Zenith Road was broken into and ransacked between 8 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, police said. Entry was gained by smashing the front door, police said, and nothing was taken. A similar break-in occurred July 7 at the same location.
To date, no suspect has been identified for either incident, Squamish RCMP report.
Four-vehicle crash
A four-vehicle crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 just south of Finch Drive on Saturday August 8, according to RCMP.
The accident happened when the left turn lane became crowded with vehicles trying to turn onto Industrial Way and blocked the left-hand northbound lane.
Although no one was hurt, several cars had to be towed and traffic flow was interrupted for about 45 minutes during the music festival.
