Every year the Kimberley RCMP plans for the yearly main event, Julyfest.  From a policing perceptive Julyfest is the biggest. We have a huge number of people congregating in a small area with a good supply of alcohol. That is normally a recipe for trouble, but not this year.

The officers prepare well in advance working with event organizers to ensure adequate coverage at the venues.  Every officer is on the schedule and a number of officers are brought in from other detachments to help out.  Traffic services sent a contingent of officers to conduct traffic enforcement.  Officers are scheduled throughout the day and night with the peak number working the night shifts.

This year over the three days police dealt with very few issues and there were no major problems. Participants were well behaved for the most part and a large number of them thanked us.  Everybody seemed to be having fun and even those who had alcohol dumped out and received violation tickets took it in good stride.

Only a handful of subjects were arrested for being too intoxicated; they were released after a few hours of sobering up. Noise complaints peaked on Sunday morning after the event finished. It seemed a number of people were having such a good time they wanted to carry on. Unfortunately their neighbours were not invited so they decided to invite the police.  Again everybody was good about it and hopefully everybody was able to sleep.

Several impaired drivers were taken off the road.  A large number of people were seen walking home, others waiting patiently for a taxi, but at least four decided to drive who shouldn’t have. They are now prohibited from driving for a period of 90 days.

Two stolen vehicle incidents were reported Sunday morning.  One vehicle was found on the NorthStar Rails to Trails near Wycliffe, it had been stolen from a residence in Wycliffe. Another vehicle was stolen from a house on Rotary Drive in Kimberley; it has not been recovered to date.

There were a large number of officers on duty and some might suggest more than required. But police plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Police would like to thank the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce, specifically the organizers, for their hard work and for putting on a great event. But if it wasn’t for the participants this wouldn’t have taken place.

You people were great, I hope you all had a great time and we will see you again next year.

Lead photo: Officers even found time to lead and tail the 41^st annual JulyFest Parade. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

Cpl. Chris Newel,

Kimberley RCMP

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