According to police, “hundreds of youths” showed up at South Delta Secondary School and nearby Dennison Park on Monday night. Up to 400 people were estimated to be there at one time, according to Acting Insp. James Sandberg described it as “organized chaos”. The Delta Police Department said fireworks were brought and fired directly at people, including first responders who it said were intentionally targeted. In a statement, police linked to an online video showing fireworks going off in a soccer field amid crowds. They said the fireworks damaged the sprinkler heads and went off for more than four hours. The Delta Fire Department put out fires in bushes and garbage in the area. Sandberg said fireworks are prohibited in the Delta unless someone buys a permit in advance. He said two permits were purchased before Halloween, but that fireworks activity was not permitted and therefore illegal. In addition, police said there were “multiple” attacks and a young woman was hit by a firework, causing burns to her upper arm and shoulder. Two police officers were also slightly injured. The total cost of the damage is unknown. Sandberg said he expects damage reports to come in over the next few days, as he knows some fences were damaged during the night’s events. He estimated that about seven arrests were made, but the youth was later released because resources were limited. About 15 police officers, as well as city personnel, including firefighters, city engineers and law enforcement officers, were at the scene from 7 p.m. until midnight, Sandberg said. “When you go from 15 officers to 400 young people, it gets a little out of control.” Police said youth gatherings and fireworks in Ladner and North Delta also led to noise complaints, damage and assault. A North Delta man was sprayed by an unknown youth, police said, and a port-a-potty was blown up with fireworks. The fire department was also dispatched to extinguish the fire on the Mackie Park turf. Police are asking anyone with video of these events to contact the Delta Police Department or upload video evidence to their online portal.
