After receiving numerous reports from alarmed community members regarding pistol-shaped lighters or torches, VicPD is cautioning the public about possessing them.
According to a media release, since July 1st, officers have responded to 20 separate instances of people possessing, pointing, or holding firearms in public spaces—which were later determined to be the realistic pistol-shaped lighters.
Police say that although the pistol-shaped lighters are not illegal, their appearance may cause alarm in the community, especially if they’re tucked into waistbands or in pockets.
“Officers regularly encounter both real and replica firearms in the line of duty, which pose serious safety risks to the public, the individuals carrying them, and responding officers,” said VicPD Firearms Coordinator Sgt. Dale Sleightholme.
“In situations where real or imitation firearms are involved, officers must make split-second, life or death decisions on how they respond. For officer safety, we treat all firearms as real until proven otherwise.”
Some of the calls include one from July 14th, in which someone was allegedly pointing a firearm at a jogger in Topaz Park. The firearm was determined to be a pistol-shaped lighter.
Similarly, on July 18th police responded to a report of a man waving around a small pistol and then a knife in the 700-block of Pandora Avenue. The firearm was determined to be a lighter shaped like a pistol.
On August 20th, officers responded to the 200-block of Superior Street for two people causing a disturbance. One of the suspects had what appeared to be to be a small handgun sticking out of a pocket in his backpack.
The suspect was arrested for possession of a firearm and was found to have 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, a knife, folding baton, and $320 in his possession. The firearm was determined to be a pistol-shaped lighter.
Despite these lighters not being illegal or real firearms, police encourage the community to continue reporting anyone they suspect to be in possession of a firearm in public.
A similar incident occurred in Oak Bay on August 9th, when a video surfaced on the Victoria Buzz Facebook group showing a large number of police officers with weapons drawn as they searched for a person reportedly in possession of a gun.
In that incident, Oak Bay Police told Victoria Buzz that a man was reportedly seen sitting on a bench near Foul Bay and Goldsmith roads, holding what witnesses described as a gun—though not in a threatening manner.
He then began to walk towards Save on Foods and Oak Bay Police officers swarmed the area and arrested him without incident.
“A search subsequent to arrest, for public safety was conducted and a butane torch lighter was located in possession of the man that could have been mistaken as a firearm,” said Chief Constable Julie Chanin of the Oak Bay Police.
The man was released once all safety concerns were addressed. No one was injured during this event.
“Police officers treat all reports of firearms as real until proven otherwise,” added Chanin.
