Kelowna cops spent months planning for Centre of Gravity

KELOWNA – RCMP are reminding revelers that Centre of Gravity in Kelowna this weekend will be tightly controlled.

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says Kelowna RCMP have been preparing for the massive festival for several months now and have enlisted the help of gang units from B.C. and Alberta.

“The public can expect to see local RCMP officers, partnered with Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team officer, out on patrol in RCMP vessels monitoring the waters of Okanagan Lake,” O'Donaghey says in a media release.

As has been the case in past years, RCMP warn there is a zero tolerance policy for open liquor, drug use and trafficking, public intoxication and “other disturbing or violent behaviours.”

Fines for open liquor range from $115 to $575 however possession of illicit drugs, sale of drugs and all other criminal offences committed, may be referred to Crown for prosecution.

With heavy traffic expected, police ask for patience from motorists and remind them that officers will be on patrol targeting aggressive, distracted and impaired drivers throughout the weekend.

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