a matter of youth violence, bystanders, and bylaws

In recent years, city officials, police, and local businesses have faced a rampant and ongoing problem of bear spray-related crimes that have left residents on edge.

One Burnaby city councillor says a report on a long-awaited bylaw that would regulate the sale and use of bear spray in the city is expected to go before council early next year.

In December 2024, city council directed staff to look into the feasibility of a bear-spray bylaw. A report from the Burnaby RCMP found that between 2019 and 2023, the city had over 400 files where bear spray was used as a weapon, with most of these incidents committed by youth.

Coun. Maita Santiago, vice chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee, says they have been working with police and local businesses on the bylaw.

“For the most part, they [city staff] said that it was positive, that they welcomed it,” said Santiago. “And then another thing that staff was looking at was…related to the issue of youth being involved with these incidents.”

Santiago says there is a concerning trend of youth using bear spray, with several reported incidents at Metropolis at Metrotown. She says while acquiring bear spray is one thing, education also plays a part.

“One of the strategies that we’re doing is continuing to work with the RCMP and with our Crime Reduction and Intervention division to take those upstream approaches with regards to working with at-risk youth…. developing tool kits that will help them make healthier decisions.”

The proposed bylaw would require merchants who sell bear spray in the city to keep detailed records of their sales and not sell the weapon to anyone under the age of 19.

Despite the number of incidents in Metrotown this past year, Santiago maintains that she feels safe in the area. She adds the proposed bylaw will be similar to ones in other municipalities, like Vancouver and Chilliwack.

‘They’re always going to be a concern’: how the Burnaby RCMP is tackling bear spray incidents

For the city’s Mounties, there’s a variety of tools used to prevent, respond to, and clean up bear spray-related incidents.

Cpl. Mike Kalanj with the Burnaby RCMP says they have been conducting a lot of bike and foot patrols in Metrotown alongside mall security. He says their biggest concern is bystanders who get caught up in the spray.

“In general, it’s usually involving an assault or a robbery, and often there are third parties that are just in the area that get affected,” said Kalanj. “So, when they’re inside….it’s harder to clean that up and there are a whole lot more people that are affected.”

If bear spray gets in your eyes, Mounties say it can cause acute pain and temporary blindness. It can also cause shortness of breath, burns on the skin, and potentially make you lose consciousness.

“We have more cameras in there [Metropolis], so it’s a little easier for us to identify suspects and sort of figure out exactly what happened when it’s inside the mall…you end up shutting part of the mall down just until the air conditioning or the HVAC can sort of clean out the air and get back in there.”

Kalanj says while youth are not always the victims or suspects, quite often they are. While the detachment could not provide data on bear spray-related incidents in 2025, Kalanj says they have not gone down.

“Right now, anecdotally, I’d say that they’re down,” said Kalanj. “A lot of the youth are back in school, people aren’t out as much….but it’s just a matter of time before we’re in the Christmas season, people are going to be around all the malls.”

Kalanj says while these incidents are shocking, they’re not happening as often as people may think.

“Be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let it control everything you do. If you are around an incident that happens, just get away as quick as you can.”

Business owner’s family left traumatized after bear spray incident

As police crack down on bear spray-related crime, local businesses are left picking up the pieces.

Tricia Hill is the owner of Stoxx Thrift & Vintage and says bear spray incidents have been happening quite frequently since she opened her Metropolis store three years ago.

Around two months ago, Hill says her family had a traumatizing experience while visiting from Victoria.

“They were in a store, buying something, and were sprayed,” said Hill. “They had to go into the back room of a hair salon and wait for the dust to clear. I was really feeling sad for her…it just all happened so quick. They had to close the door and it was a lot of frenzy.”

Hill says she has not received any follow-up from the mall regarding these incidents.

“I’m not sure of the protocol or what’s supposed to happen in a case like that or what we’re supposed to do. There should be some kind of follow-up when it does happen.”

Hill says there has been an increased police presence in the mall, and she hopes this continues into the holiday shopping season, which she says is vital for business.

“It’s really important that the mall is safe, that customers can come and shop and feel comfortable with their families. I think the bear spray is also connected to the theft. So they spray and they do what they want and it’s kind of an escape….they get to get away.”

Hill says it’s sad they have to keep their guard up with kids storming the mall because, overall, it is a good environment for her business.