Riot Expense May Doom Sandcastle Fest

A riot this summer means policing costs could exceed $100,000 if this Vancouver Island community’s annual sandcastle competition is held next year.

Mayor Julia Macdonald said Friday that the city can’t afford such a bill and she doubts the sandcastle committee can afford it, either.

The $100,000 would only pay for the extra police and would not include other costs such as transportation, accommodation and meals, she said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Tom Lamond said he is preparing an operational plan for the city and the sandcastle committee outlining policing needs should the event go ahead next year.

About 1,000 young people smashed windows and looted businesses in Parksville’s downtown core during the July 19 violence. Police made 97 arrests, mostly alcohol-related, and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

In past years, the RCMP would have 40 to 45 officers working on Saturday night for the annual event, but that will need to be at least doubled, Lamond said.

Macdonald said she wonders whether the community wants to hold an event with a riot squad in place. “How much fun is that going to be?” she asked.

The police probe into the riot is far from over, said Constable Rodney Gray, the officer in charge of the case. To date, one adult male has been charged in a break-in at the Parksville liquor store.

Charges are pending against at least seven more people, Gray said.