Craven Country Thunder Music Festival officially begins in Craven, Sask. The Saskatchewan RCMP are reminding everyone that public safety is important, and it’s the RCMP’s priority to ensure the safety of area residents, visitors, event staff and police officers.
Mounties also offer tips in case festival goers need police help. In an emergency, the RCMP says to always call 911. If you require assistance in a non-life threatening situation, you can call 310-RCMP with the following information:
- Your location – be as specific as possible.
- Your contact information – whether it is your cell phone or a friend’s, the RCMP need a number to contact you back. Stay on the phone with the call-taker until they have all the information that police need. Cell phone coverage is inconsistent; if you are able to call the police for help, stay exactly where you are as officers may need to call you back.
- A meet-up location (if necessary) – by the main stage doesn’t work, try to find a different location that isn’t so busy.
- As many details as possible – the more information, the better.
Calls to the Provincial Dispatch Centre, based in Regina, don’t know who is in police custody or when they will be released. If you need this information, Mounties suggest calling the Lumsden RCMP Detachment at 306-731-4270, pressing 2 and leaving a message on the machine. Someone will respond as soon as they can.
The area is expected to see an influx of more than 20,000 people. Mounties say they’re pleased with the overall level of cooperation of the public at the festival grounds. The RCMP underlines that public safety is of the utmost importance throughout the course of the festival. In a statement, the RCMP says it is their priority to ensure the safety of the area residents, visitors, and well as police officers.
Saskatchewan RCMP officers patrolling the event enforce a “zero tolerance” policy towards public drunkenness, open liquor, underage drinking, illicit drug use, causing a disturbance, and any other offence. Overnight Mounties arrested and lodged 3 males for causing disturbances and being drunk in public.
The RCMP wish to remind everyone attending the festival to have a great time, but to do so in a responsible and safe manner. Mounties also remind everyone that social media is not an appropriate place to submit complaints or information; call 310-RCMP if you require assistance or dial 911 in an emergency.
