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First long weekend a safe one at Cowichan Lake

The Cowichan Lake area coasted through its first tourist-filled long weekend of the year relatively unscathed, thanks to a combination of cool weather and local RCMP efforts.

The Cowichan Lake area coasted through its first tourist-filled long weekend of the year relatively unscathed, thanks to a combination of cool weather and local RCMP efforts.

"People were respectful," Lake Cowichan RCMP Cpl. Krista Hobday said, of the weekend's visitors.

"We've made it a point of being out the Friday night to set the tone," Hobday said, adding that RCMP go on to maintain a presence throughout the weekend. "We're more the chaperones at a school dance. We're there to make sure everyone has a good time and is respectful."

This early presence helped visitors and locals alike realize that police are readily available, Hobday said.

Throughout the weekend, the department had only 15 calls for service come in; a number Hobday refers to as really good for the area.

In addition to the 15 calls for service, RCMP performed traffic checks over the weekend, with over 100 vehicles checked. In all, the following actions were taken: 10 violation tickets, 17 warnings, two notice and orders, one impaired driver, one drug seizure, and one weapon seizure.

The more serious of offenses, including the impaired driving, drugs, and weapon seizure, were related to one driver.

"We did a lot of foot patrols as well," Hobday said.

These foot patrols took place in Skutz Falls, Gordon Bay camp and beach, downtown Lake Cowichan, and the Friendship Trail, with most interactions being with visitors.

In all, it was a successful weekend for local RCMP, with no motor vehicle incidents reported in the area.

A similar such approach will be taken by local RCMP during the next long weekend, with an early and maintained police presence throughout.