(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Matt Weverink)(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Matt Weverink)
Chatham

OPP: Dozens Of Campers Evicted From Rondeau

Rowdy campers kept OPP busy at Rondeau Provincial Park over the long weekend.

But there were also a pair of health scares involving teens and one case of assault that is still under investigation.

Officers say a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital and treated for alcohol poisoning and a 19-year-old man was treated for a drug overdose.

A park warden was also assaulted, but there is no word on how badly.

In addition to those cases, OPP officers and park wardens laid one charge of marijuana possession against a 17-year-old boy and approximately 35 other charges, mostly related to alcohol possession and trespassing in the park.

Two people had their driver's licence taken away from them for three days because they had been drinking alcohol and two others, aged 18 and 22, were arrested for public intoxication and held in custody overnight.

Police say officers kicked out 114 campers from 19 different campsites throughout the course of the weekend, adding that several of the campers tried to get back into the park later in the weekend and were arrested and charged for "entering the park after being removed."

Not all of the campers were misbehaving, but some those that did left a trail of destruction in their wake as well.

Officers say one of the washrooms at the park was severely damaged on Sunday night or early Monday morning. The damage is estimated at $3,000 and the incident is still under investigation.

Police officers and park wardens were at the park 24/7 from 6am Friday to 6am Monday and say overall, their goal of making sure the campers who were entering and leaving the park safe and sound was met.

However, they "continue to be dismayed and alarmed" at how easily young people are able to obtain alcohol and at some of the social media posts that they saw over the weekend that include "high-risk behaviours."

Officers say they'll be out at Rondeau again for the Victoria Day weekend in 2018, but they're also urging parents to talk with their kids about the dangers of alcohol and drug use and driving while impaired.

As a final warning, officers are reminding parents and older siblings that anyone who is caught providing alcohol to a minor can be fined up to $5,000 under the Liquor Licence Act.

Officers say they are still investigating several incidents from the weekend and they're asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 222 8477 or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry TIPS line at 1 877 847 7667.

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