Vancouver police say bear-spray incidents involving youth are rising

The Vancouver Police Department says incidents involving youth and bear spray are rising, including assaults, disturbances and weapons seizures. It recorded 104 cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 15 this year, compared with 83 during the same period last year.

To reduce youth access to the restricted product, VPD Youth Investigative Unit detectives inspected businesses suspected of selling bear spray, coyote spray and dog-repellent spray. They visited 27 businesses across the city to identify possible sources of bear spray and encourage compliance with City of Vancouver bylaws. Each business received information on the rules and best practices.

Under the bylaws, bear spray may be sold only to people aged 19 and older. Businesses must keep sales records, including buyers’ identities, for 12 months. Police said three businesses received a total of $4,000 in fines for four bylaw violations.

Insp. Dave Balance of the VPD Youth Services Section said Friday that reducing youth access to bear spray is a priority. He said the enforcement initiative would contribute to community safety and that police hope it will reduce assaults committed by youth using bear spray. Canadian law also makes it illegal to carry bear spray in urban areas for self-defence.