Dear Editor:
I am a Lynn Valley resident who was bear sprayed by young people after challenging them to stop shooting their fireworks directly at buildings, and at me personally. The RCMP attending said this was the third such aerosol-based assault of the evening.
I am asking parents to sit with their children and look at their photos and social media communications. It is our responsibility to talk to our kids and let them know their actions matter.
Do you know where your kid was and who they were with? I'm glad you trust them. Let them share the story of their adventure and independence.
It was Halloween, sure, but at 11 p.m. on one short loop in my neighbourhood, I interacted with three groups engaged in illegal activity.
Let's be clear, fireworks are illegal and so is "just getting high," as one group told me before looking for an “all-good” fist bump.
Getting sprayed was the result of insisting a teen stop and have a conversation after firing his roman-candle-style firework across the street into a Mountain Highway townhouse and onto the Lynn Valley Church, before firing directly at me down Harold Street.
This fireworks shooter and his friend who sprayed me were the only aberrant ones in their group. But that's the thing: groups.
Parents, I'm sure your child was likely making good choices on Halloween, but there were many, many groups out there. I challenge you to demonstrate you care about their choices and friendships.
Sit with them and the phone you pay for and let them show you their adventure. What did they see? How did they feel about it? It is your responsibility to know they are safe and becoming good members of the community.
Given the volume of garbage on the streets, fields and playgrounds this Halloween, more than a few of our kids were witness to some poor choices.
If you see any pictures of a group of mixed male and female, and there are a couple guys wearing face coverings that are non-medical and non-costume to go with their non-Halloween costumes, I am happy to send you the RCMP file number created for my assault.
Thank you to the people and first responders who came to my aid.
Rob Walker
North Vancouver
Editor's note: North Vancouver RCMP say the investigation into this bear spray attack is still ongoing, and that no arrests have been made. In response to a surge in bear spray incidents, West Vancouver banned its sale earlier this year to youth under 19.
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