Illegal street racing a 'chronic problem' for Township of Langley, mayor says
Over the weekend, Langley RCMP said that an illegal street racing event attended by youth turned violent, and officers had to use pepper spray and Tasers to break it up. Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward is urging fans of illegal street racing to focus their attention on something else.
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Police board chair points to growing meth problem for jump in WPS officers' stun-gun use
Winnipeg Police Service officers used stun guns more often last year, a trend some have linked to increased meth use in the community. However, one of several annual policing updates finds overall use of force remained rare. In 2024, WPS members used Tasers 524 times, including 221 instances in which the devices were presented and/or used to coerce someone, 216 times stun-gun probes were deployed (for use over a longer distance) and 87 times when the weapons were used to 'push stun' (applied while pressing the device against someone.) MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board, Coun. Markus Chambers. The combined use is up from a five-year average of 262 times per year since 2019, and exceeds 302 total uses in 2023. Frequent meth use among people police interact with is believed to be a key factor in the increase, according to the chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board. 'With how bad meth is out there right now, the unpredictability of the psychosis with meth usage would signal (why) officers are using their Tasers… more than the five-year average,' said Coun. Markus Chambers. The WPS report also blames meth use for an increase in 'activated active aggression' against police, which it describes as incidents that risk causing death or 'grievous bodily harm' to police, suspects and bystanders. 'The increase has largely been attributed to encounters with individuals exhibiting the effects of methamphetamine. Individuals under the influence of methamphetamine often have a high tolerance to pain and are far less responsive to de-escalation techniques, including verbal and physical (ones),' the report says. For example, Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) said the number of times police vehicles have been deliberately rammed into rose to 12 in 2024, up from four the previous year. 'The aggression… officers are being met with is a lot higher,' he said. Use of force report Chambers said stun guns can help keep officers and the public safe and prevent the use of more dangerous responses. The WPS report describes the electroshock weapon as a useful, and relatively safe, tool. 'The (conducted energy weapon) remains the most used intermediate weapon and most effective level of control, with the least likelihood of causing injury, compared to physical control techniques,' it notes. Overall, police were dispatched to 239,903 events last year and either presented a weapon or used force in 968 of those incidents, the report notes. That means 0.4 per cent of calls involved use of force last year, compared to a five-year average of 0.33 per cent. There were several serious incidents. Police reported six officer-involved shootings and four fatalities last year, which is above the five-year average of four shootings and two fatalities. 'One incident of a police-involved shooting is too much but we recognize each situation is a different situation,' said Chambers. JEFF DE BOOY / FREE PRESS FILES In 2024, Winnipeg Police Service officers used Tasers 524 times. Meanwhile, a separate annual report notes WPS received 93 complaints to its professional standards unit in 2024, up from a five-year average of 77.2. That number includes both external and internal complaints. It may have risen, in part, because officers are often responding to large, 'public order' events, such as protests, where participants are expressing very strong beliefs and may be angered by police involvement, said Chambers. 'Public order events are usually very emotional, highly charged. I suspect some of the increased amount (of complaints) could be from there,' he said. A third annual report notes police are engaging in pursuits with fleeing vehicles less often due to safety risks. There were 64 pursuits last year, down from 66 in 2023 and 122 in 2020, it notes. 'Pursuits are considered a last resort due to safety risks for the public, officers, and suspects. A pursuit may be justified if the suspect's escape poses a threat to human life or can cause serious injury,' the report states. Chambers said the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter also helps avoid the need for police cruisers to chase fleeing suspects. The report credits the helicopter with helping out in 11 of the 64 pursuits last year and providing 'visual containment' in 10 of those 11 cases. And the force's armoured rescue vehicle was used 87 times for tactical operations last year, responding to firearm-related search warrants, homicide investigations and abductions, among other incidents. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. In recent years, some advocates have criticized spending money on the helicopter and armoured vehicles, especially those pushing for council to divert at least some of the police budget to recreation and other priorities. Chambers stressed he believes both vehicles remain valuable policing tools. Winnipeg Police Service declined to speak about the reports until they are presented at Friday's police board meeting. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Man charged after B.C. barn erupts in flames with animals inside
Flames are seen at a barn fire in Langley Township on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Handout) Days after a barn fire that sent dark smoke over B.C.'s Lower Mainland, a suspect has been charged with arson and other offences. The fire was reported in Langley Township around 11:45 a.m. Friday, prompting an emergency response that included a large RCMP presence. On Monday, Langley RCMP confirmed there were animals in the barn when it erupted in flames, and that some of them were killed. 'The Township of Langley Fire Department tried their best to save as many as they could,' Sgt. Zynal Sharoom told CTV News. Authorities could not confirm what kind of animals were in the barn, or how many of them died. Officers arrested Langley resident Christopher Gerald William England in connection with the fire on Sunday. 'This arrest is the result of diligent investigative work and coordinated response by our officers and partner agencies,' said Sharoom, in a statement. England is facing several criminal charges, including arson damaging property, assault with a weapon, assault, causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, mischief, and obstructing police. In a news release, Langley RCMP said its investigation uncovered 'grounds to believe the fire had been deliberately set,' but did not provide any further details. Online court records show England has a bail hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Global News
7 days ago
- Global News
Vicious attack in Langley caught on security video
Global News has obtained video showing a vicious assault in Langley. In the video, a man can be seen shoving a woman into the street, then repeatedly kicking and punching her before she escapes. It happened in the 20100 block of Fraser Highway around 6:17 a.m. on Sunday. Soon after the attack, Langley RCMP arrested 34-year-old Hugh Mason, who has since been charged with assault and assault causing bodily harm. 'We recognize that this violent incident was not only traumatic for the victim but is also deeply concerning to the community as a whole,' Langley RCMP Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said on Monday. 1:26 Suspect arrested in Langley stranger attack Opposition public safety critic Elenore Sturko said the video was disturbing. Story continues below advertisement 'It's absolutely horrific to see an individual standing minding their own business suddenly attacked by someone that they don't know,' she said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This was a relentless beating on a member of the community. Frankly, I felt sick seeing this.' Mason is well known to police and has a long list of court appearances for assault and breach. 'The premier and the attorney general need to go to Ottawa and insist that there are changes made to bail conditions and to the Criminal Code of Canada that can help see people involved in this type of activity kept in custody for the protection of the public,' Sturko said. The injured woman was treated in hospital and is expected to recover. Mason is due to make another court appearance on Thursday. For now, he remains in custody.
