With the summer season upon local residents, the large number of cliff divers plunging into Gleniffer Lake is becoming more of a concern to police.
Innisfail RCMP Detachment has noticed a significant increase in illegal activity in the Gleniffer Lake area, including consuming alcohol in public, littering and diving off the cliffs that are located along the eastern bank of the lake.
“Cliff diving has always been a safety concern we have had for quite some time,” said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk.
“But this year we have seen an increase in the amount of cliff divers in the area.”
Matechuk explained that due to the flooding that swept the area in June, water levels are higher than usual and it is difficult to detect how deep the water is. The muddy, murky water caused by the flooding adds to the problem.
Matechuk also said that Glennifer Lake is becoming a prime location for drinking and partying.
“It is a growing concern of ours,” he said. “The problem seems to be getting worse.”
The cliffs of Gleniffer Lake are designated as Crown property and the farmland surrounding the cliffs is private. No trespassing signs have been put in place along the fenceline separating Crown land from private property and barriers have been put in place to prevent public intrusion.
However, despite their efforts, police say that the signs are often kicked down or vandalized.
“We are finding that people are not respecting the signs and are ignoring the barriers,” said Matechuk.
“We now have zero tolerance for illegal activity and trespassing in the area,” he added.
Matechuk also said that police now monitor the area frequently and law enforcement will be made on a regular basis.
People generally access the cliffs of Gleniffer Lakes by driving down a dirt road that surrounds the lake on Crown property, which is for authorized vehicles only and is not for public use.
Unauthorized drivers who are found travelling the dirt road will be charged with trespassing and will receive a $287 fine.
Vehicles that are found parked along the road without authorization will receive a $57 fine.
“We hope that the more tickets we give out, the more people will stay away from unauthorized areas,” said Matechuk.
People using these areas and consuming liquor will face fines for illegal consumption of liquor in a public place and public intoxication. Both offences carry fines of $115.
Youth caught in the area consuming liquor could also receive a fine for possessing or consuming liquor under 18 years of age and could also face fines of $115.
Littering fines will also be handed out, if seen by police.
Although names could not be released, Matechuk said that there have been some injuries resulting for cliff diving this year.
“We're going to increase monitoring of the area and we're going to address the issue the best we can,” he said.
