Elk Valley RCMP is still investigating reports of drink spiking at businesses across Fernie after several more incidents have arisen.
Staff Sergeant Svend Nielsen says at least seven incidents have been reported so far, up from the four initially publicized by police in mid-January.
Nielsen says it has been a challenging investigation so far.
“Our general investigative section has been focused on these events, we’ve gone through and tried to come up with any kind of relative consistencies,” said Nielsen.
“That has proven very difficult to find. They’re involving reports from different businesses in the community, different times, dates, bartenders, servers, you name it. There is no consistency, even with the drinks being consumed.”
Nielsen says the detachment is also focusing on proactive work while the investigation continues.
“We’re working very closely with victim services and women’s resources, making sure we have support for this. Interior Health as well, we’re having continual conversations with them regarding how to approach and support this,” said Nielsen.
“Lacking a lab that we can send people to, the hospital is our best resource for testing.”
Elk Valley RCMP is boosting its presence in the community in hopes of preventing future spiking incidents.
“We’re doing active bar patrols and walks. It’s very quick, we don’t want people getting comfortable with us being there, want to only be in there for a short period of time in repetition, maybe once or twice a night,” said Nielsen.
“We just want to be in there, being visible and available, talking to staff and patrons.”
Work is continuing into the investigation, with a sample currently away for testing.
“We’re aware that this is a very serious social issue here and potentially a criminal issue, so we’re just trying to do as much as possible,” said Nielsen.
Any future alleged spiking incident in Fernie can be reported to the Elk Valley RCMP.
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