Saanich Police responded to reports of youths allegedly in possession of a firearm.
On Monday, August 12th just before 4 p.m., police attended the area of McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street after receiving reports of a group of youth that were reportedly in possession of a firearm.
The group was located at a bus stop at the corner of Quadra Street and McKenzie Avenue and were safely detained.
Police searched their possessions, locating a switchblade knife and the firearm, which turned out to be a replica.
All four minors were arrested and later released with conditions. Saanich Police will forward charges to the Crown in relation to the possession of weapons.
According to a media release, all calls involving firearms necessitate a priority response from police, and they’re trained to treat all firearms as real until proven otherwise.
Replicas also pose a serious safety risk to the public, those that carry them and officers responding to a call.
