August 17, 2020
On Friday August 14, 2020 at 10:51 hours Saanich Police officers were dispatched to attend the 4100 block of Carey Road for a report of a group of 20-30 people making noise behind Northridge Elementary School.
At 11:00 p.m. additional calls were received that the group was now in the streets, had grown to over 100 people and they were becoming verbally aggressive and attempting to damage property on homes. As a result, additional officers were dispatched to assist. They arrived on Carey Road at approximately 11:10 p.m. and saw the large groups of youths gathered. They began to speak to some of them and then learned that there had been weapons involved, including a baton and potentially a knife that had been brandished by one of the youths. The suspect was believed to be at the school with the weapons.
The officers then made their way to the school to locate the suspects when they were flagged down by residents who provided additional information about the suspected weapon and concerns about the youth gathering.
The group eventually broke up and left the area as police remained on scene to speak to the residents.
We are still investigating the incident and are asking any of the residents to provide statements to the police. We are also investigating the timings and information provided during the call.
During the summer months, the Saanich Police deploy additional officers over the week-ends to assist in the increase for calls to service related to calls such as parties, large gatherings, liquor enforcement, noise disturbances, and beach fires.
Our department is committed to providing quality police service by working with the community to keep Saanich safe.
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer