EDMONTON – Police have charged three people in connection with a base jumping incident that took place in the downtown area over the August long weekend.
Two men – a 34-year-old from Edmonton and a 27-year-old from Australia – along with a 26-year-old Edmonton woman have each been charged with trespassing, which carries a fine of $287.
On the evening of August 4th, downtown officers received reports of a suspected break and enter at a high-rise construction site in the area of Jasper Avenue and 119 Street. Police also received reports from witnesses of three people parachuting – or base jumping – from a building.
The three were believed to have entered a fenced and locked construction site, and then parachuted from one of the top floors of the building, landing a short distance away on Victoria Promenade before leaving in a waiting vehicle. Witnesses who saw the incident called police, but the officers who responded were not able to catch the individuals that night.
It wasn’t until just over a week later, this past Wednesday, that officers charged the three people thanks to help from the public.
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“The public was very instrumental in providing information in relation to this incident,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Ray Akbar, EPS. “And we want to thank the public for their assistance in providing us not only with witness statements and eye witness accounts, but also with camera footage, as well as a Crime Stoppers tip that resulted in the arrest.”
Police say the three individuals were very cooperative and remorseful for their actions.
While there were no damages to property, and no one was injured or died in this base jumping case, police are reminding sport enthusiasts that regardless of their skydiving skills, base jumping in the city is illegal.
“There are too many risk factors involved and the risk to the public is fairly great,” said AKbar. “As much as this is a stunt, it is a dangerous act. And for anyone considering it in the future, it could result in a criminal charge.”
He added that organizers of skydiving activities within the city need to have legal permission from affected property owners, and ensure they have the appropriate liability insurance, as well as make the necessary arrangements with civic and emergency services.
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