Whistler enjoys relatively peaceful May long weekend
Fewer arrests during the traditionally rowdy weekend compared to previous years
Relief.
That's what Whistler-Pemberton RCMP and the resort community say they're feeling after the May long weekend passed by without any major incidents.
RCMP reported fewer calls — 74 this year compared to 169 last year. The number of people in detention remained similar — a total of 21 compared to 20 from last year.
Whistler-Pemberton RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair said the only incident of note this year was a man who sustained minor injuries after being kicked out of a nightclub.
"I'm very pleased that it turned out as it did," he said. "We certainly didn't see the crowds that we've seen in previous years."
Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden declared the weekend "a great success".
She commended the efforts of RCMP, who brought in extra officers from the Lower Mainland and Squamish to prepare for the weekend.
"[It] very clearly sent the message that if you wanted to come up here and misbehave, chances were pretty good you would land in jail," she said.
She said the resort town also benefited from the third year of the Great Outdoors Festival and she recognized city staff and the May long weekend committee for creating the programming.
She also has high hopes for next year.
"I'm hoping that more local people will stay home next weekend ... [and] come into the village to enjoy all of the programming now that they've seen that we do seem to have things under control," she said.