No charges after RCMP show up to Lumsden underage frosh party with chips and salsa

RCMP officers came through bringing chips and salsa to a party in the Lumsden area on Saturday night.

They posted on Facebook they would be showing up with the food after learning of a frosh party in the area, but warned they could also bring charges for underage drinking, open liquor and providing alcohol to minors.

In the end, no fines or charges were laid. But several people at the party posted photos to Facebook showing them enjoying their snack.

Sgt. John Armstrong of the Lumsden RCMP detachment said it had to be done.

“(It) sort of took on a life of its own and if we didn’t bring the chips and salsa, I think we would have had more consequences … if we didn’t show up with all the press,” said Armstrong.

Mounties even went right into the party and mingled at times to make sure everything was under control. Armstrong said they made everyone know police could be a little more strict if does get out of control, but everyone was well behaved.

Party goers then took selfies with the chips, group photos with the officers and shared them on the very same Facebook post.

“It was well received and they sort of all swarmed to us and we handed out the chips and salsa and they loved it. They couldn’t believe that we had came through on our promise,” he said.

Armstrong described seeing #nochipsnosalsa written on their arms and on clothing, believing police would not actually show up. He said when they arrived, people started rubbing off that message and accepted the chips, which had a note attached saying “stay safe!”
 
RCMP were more focused on drinking and driving and less so on the underage drinking. Police patrolled the road outside the party, pulling over numerous vehicles but found no impaired drivers.