CRAVEN - Saskatchewan RCMP was kept busy during the Country Thunder country music festival near Craven this year, responding to a total of 147 calls for service at the event.
The number of calls for service, police attribute to the high influx of people in the area, were tracked from July 10 to July 15. The calls resulted in 33 people taken into custody and six criminal code charges laid.
Saskatchewan RCMP were present in the area responding to calls for service within the festival and surrounding area.
The total calls for service included: 27 liquor-related offences (for example, Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act-related offences or reports of public intoxication); 24 reports of disturbing the peace; 15 requests to assist the general public (such as assisting until EMS arrived on the scene); 10 reports of mischief; five reports of theft; four reports of sexual assault; three reports of assault; two reports of uttering threats; one person reported missing (located); one traffic collision (no injuries).
On Saturday and Sunday, the Saskatchewan RCMP conducted a traffic safety initiative partnering with SGI to help ensure impaired drivers were taken off the roads. As a result of the initiative, 38 people received roadside driver’s licence suspensions due to alcohol or drug impairment, three of which are also facing criminal charges.
“Each year as thousands of people gather to enjoy Country Thunder Saskatchewan, our officers come from across the province to help keep those in attendance and the surrounding communities as safe as possible during the event,” said Supt. Tyler Bates, from the Saskatchewan RCMP South District Management Team. “Planning is a critical part of ensuring public safety. I am proud of the work and collaboration our officers demonstrated leading up to and during Country Thunder Saskatchewan to ensure that calls for service were answered and road safety was upheld.”
