ON September 24, at approximately 8:35 p.m., Sidny/North Saanich RCMP officers attended the Spirit of British Columbia Ferry which was inbound from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay after it was reported that three males had become aggressive toward other passengers after refusing to wear masks.

It was reported that the men were threatening to fight other passengers after they were confronted by passengers and directed by BC Ferries officials to wear the provincially mandated masks. Officers boarded the vessel and located the men. All three were arrested without incident and were subsequently processed by police at the Sidney RCMP detachment.

“These incidents are taken seriously by police. The provincial mandates are in place to protect the public and help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These individuals defied the direction of the trained crew members whose job is first and foremost to keep passengers safe. These three men took it upon themselves to put others health at risk by refusing to wear the masks on a crowded voyage and when confronted on their behaviour, threatened others,” said Cpl. Andres Sanchez, Media Relations Officer, Sidney/North Saanich RCMP.

The three men have since been released from custody and a first appearance date has been set in at the Victoria Provincial Court in December. They have conditions not to attend any BC Ferries property.