ON Wednesday, July 1 at approximately 10 a.m., New Westminster Police received a 9-1-1 call from someone who described seeing what appeared to be a grenade at Ryall Park inside the dog park area. Officers rushed to the location and secured the scene.

Officers utilized a drone and conducted a search of the area. After a thorough search, the suspicious object was located and it was determined to be a butane lighter in the shape of a grenade. The park reopened shortly after officers determined there was no threat.

“These lighters are as foolish as they are dangerous,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “These create unnecessary fear. Nothing about them is clever or funny.”

Officers would like to thank park users for their patience while officers worked in the area. The New Westminster Police Department has issued numerous warnings about novelty lighters shaped as weapons. These lighters pose a risk to the person using them and everyone around them as they are routinely mistaken for real weapons. They result in public distress, calls to 9-1-1, and significant police response.