Police in North Vancouver and West Vancouver found themselves mopping up after some sloppy drunks put themselves (and others) in peril over New Year’s Eve long weekend.
One man was taken to hospital with head injuries after a failed attempt at crossing Highway 1 on foot. The man and a group of friends were looking for a shortcut between two house parties around 11 p.m. Dec. 31 when they opted to run across the orange bridge over Lynn Creek.
The driver of a westbound SUV clipped one of the men with his passenger side mirror, knocking the victim to the ground, according to North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Cpl. Richard De Jong. He has since been released from hospital.
The other three were ticketed. The injured man was punished enough, De Jong said.
“He’s very lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries,” De Jong added.
Asked why someone thought bolting across the highway would be a good idea, De Jong responded, “Well, alcohol impacts thought, mood and judgment. That would be your first clue.”
There were six others picked up off the streets for being intoxicated in public, according to De Jong.
“The drunk tank was somewhat busy,” he said “It’s quite common to have drunks stumbling down the roads, through yards and in public places, drawing attention to themselves, so they spent the night in the crowbar hotel.”
West Vancouver police, meanwhile, were called to deal with a “very intoxicated” and soaking wet man attempting to break into a home in the British Properties in the early morning on Jan. 3.
Police say the man had left a nearby party and was hoping to meet up with someone he’d met at their home but wound up trying to force his way into the wrong house, managing to first find his way to the bottom of the backyard pool.
Police arrived to find the home’s owner restraining the cold and wet would-be break-in artist.
The 36-year-old Burnaby man was treated in hospital for hypothermia. West Vancouver police say the homeowners have asked them not to pursue any trespassing or break-and-enter charges.
