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February 28, 2017 - 8:00 PM
VERNON - While posts have been shared on social media and a news site suggesting people are being drugged at local pubs, the Vernon RCMP has not received any reports confirming the activity.
The vice president of the Soldiers of Odin Okanagan chapter, Ty Herold, recently posted on a Facebook forum stating:
“It has come to my attention that people are being drugged at our local pubs/clubs. I heard a few cases from a recent show as well as a young lady last night that never made it out conscious.”
In the post, Herold says the Soldiers of Odin is forming “preventative surveillance teams to keep a watchful eye out for the next while in hopes to catch the perpetrator(s) and make people out on the town feel a little safer.”
The post does not include dates or places of establishment, nor does it state how the Soldiers of Odin came to obtain the information. When contacted, the Soldiers of Odin — a group the RCMP has previously said it will not collaborate with — declined an interview, but provided a written statement. It reads, in part:
“We understand that drugging in the bars is certainly not something new; however, when three or more cases happen over a single weekend in our small community, that raises concern.”
The statement goes on to say that “the majority of victims of this type of abuse rarely go to the police” and that the “victims and establishments of the recent druggings wish to remain anonymous.”
The Soldiers of Odin say police don’t have the resources to patrol bar interiors, which is “where we come in.”
“We will operate on a 'observe and report' mandate coordinating with the bouncers,” the statement says.
The Soldiers of Odin have asked for assistance in covering more vantage points in the bars, and say people have been coming forward to do so. The group says it hopes to spread awareness to those drinking, and also to “scare the perpetrator(s) into not attempting the druggings as they learn a large number of the public will be watching.”
NO POLICE REPORTS
The alleged activity is serious, however Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says the detachment is not aware of anyone being drugged at local establishments.
“We have received no reports to that effect,” Noseworthy says. "We’d ask anyone, if it happens, to let us know.”
When asked about the Soldiers of Odin setting up surveillance at local bars, Noseworthy had no comment except to say individuals “need to keep within the law and obey the rules.”
The RCMP is reminding people to use common sense and take precautions while out at the bar, including keeping an eye on your drink, having a friend with you, and not going home with people you don’t know.
“You can never be too safe,” Noseworthy says.
iNFOnews.ca has become aware of other unconfirmed reports on social media suggesting people were drugged and experienced severe reactions. We have so far been unable to verify this information.
This message was posted to Facebook by the vice-president of the Soldiers of Odin Okanagan Chapter.
Image Credit: Facebook
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