Weyburn Police responded last Wednesday to a complaint about an intoxicated individual causing a disturbance outside a business on the city's south side.
Sergeant Riley Ross said incidents like this are common. “It’s a pretty typical call that police respond to,” he explained. “We located the individual, who had open liquor on him. He was arrested for public intoxication and held in custody until sober, for his own safety.”
It is illegal under the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act for anyone to possess open liquor in a public area. Public intoxication charges may apply when someone under the influence creates a disturbance. Sgt. Ross stresses this point, as they do encourage anyone who has had alcohol to find a safe ride or walk home.
"Walking home after having a couple drinks is not an issue, we encourage that. When we run into issues is when somebody's walking home and causing some sort of a disturbance."
"We'll do everything we can as police to de-escalate the situation and attempt to find a safe place for that intoxicated individual. However, if we're unable to find a safe place or somebody to look after them, due to their safety and the public safety, they may be arrested for public intoxication and held at the Weyburn Police Service until they're sober."
The Weyburn Police Service responded to 78 calls for service from April 28th to May 4th resulting in a total of nine charges. Of the charges, five were laid under the Criminal Code of Canada, three under the Traffic Safety Act, and one under the City of Weyburn Bylaw.