FILE PHOTO

(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

Kelowna Mounties had their hands full this Canada Day, having to respond to double the calls they normally do on a Thursday night due to large crowds gathered in area parks and unruly and aggressive behaviour.  

As they were conducting several arrests, local police reported that officers were surrounded by groups of people and during several callouts they had bottles thrown at them when entering the crowd. Preliminary numbers show approximately 120 police calls for service in Kelowna, with many related to public intoxication and disturbances.

The Kelowna RCMP is also investigating a report of mischief which lead to minor injuries of a 9-year-old girl.

"At approximately 11:20 p.m. on July 1, frontline officers responded to a report of child being struck of a discharged firework in City Park. The girl, who was visiting the Kelowna area with her family suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries. She was treated at scene and transported to hospital for further medical assessment," an RCMP press release reads.

"The fireworks were found to have been discharged from inside a large unruly crowd, many of whom were youth illegally consuming alcohol in the park, which created challenges for investigating officers on scene."

The Kelowna RCMP is continuing to investigate the incident and any witnesses are encouraged to contact the Kelowna RCMP and provide file number 2021-41079.

“The RCMP would like to emphasize that public safety is of the utmost importance throughout the summer months when we see an increased influx of people in the City of Kelowna,”  Supt. Kara Triance, Officer in Charge of the Kelowna Regional Detachment, said in the release.

“It is our priority to ensure the safety of area residents, visitors, as well as the police officers that serve our community. Lawlessness and criminal behaviour are not acceptable at any time and place, and will not be tolerated.”

If you have any information related to the fireworks incident on Canada Day, you are encouraged to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.net or at 1-800-222-8477.

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