A self-styled activist group that allegedly blew out the tires of dozens of SUVs in Greater Victoria now appears to be turning its attention to the Lower Mainland, but a lawyer warns it could have some serious consequences.
An international group called Tire Extinguishers is trying to draw attention to the pollution caused by larger vehicles. Over the past few days, the group claims to have hit 34 SUVs in Victoria and Oak Bay and other vehicles in Kitchener, Ont., and according to social media, is now targeting Vancouver.
Victoria Police have opened a case on the environmental action and so far one person in the city has lodged a complaint with the police. Oak Bay police have received eight complaints of flat tires.
Read more: Climate activists blow out the tires of 34 SUVs in regional Victoria
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No arrests have been made yet, but Oak Bay police have released a description of a possible suspect. He is described as thin in his early 20s with light brown hair. He was seen driving away in a light blue car. The tires are believed to have deflated in the early morning hours of July 29.
Criminal lawyer Sarah Leeman warns that anyone caught deflating could face serious charges depending on whether anyone is injured and how the Crown proceeds.
“I think the most obvious charge they could face is a charge of evil,” Leamon said. “The crime could be a pretty serious charge if the Crown decided to pursue it by indictment, which would increase the penalty and even put prison on the table.”
Leamon says if someone doesn’t check their tires before driving off and ends up in a crash as a result, that could lead to the Crown asking for a stiffer sentence.
“I think when you put public health or safety at risk, then there could be the potential for the Crown to decide to proceed with a charge.”
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2:06 Dozens of flat tires as environmental activist group takes action Dozens of flat tires as environmental activist group takes action
Leaflets left on the vehicles explain how SUVs cause more pollution than smaller cars. Their website details how hybrids and electric cars are fair game. Normal sized cars, commercial vehicles and cars used for disabled people should be avoided.
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But who is using the car is not easy to understand. In San Francisco, a victim who started driving before realizing she had a flat tire used her SUV to transport young disabled people to sporting events. In England, a trauma surgeon was trying to get a job.
Read more: ‘Your gasman kills’: Environmental group says blew tires on Kitchener’s SUV
In Victoria, Bob Kennedy’s daughter’s SUV was attacked on Friday morning and he said she noticed the tires were flat before driving on a flat tire.
“What really worries me is that she’s going into her ninth month of pregnancy, which is going to leave her without a vehicle in the middle of the night if she really needs one,” Kennedy told Mike Smith on CKNW’s Mike Smith Show .
“I cannot understand why they do such things.
0:23 Save Old Grow protest briefly blocks traffic on Stanley Park Causeway Save Old Grow protest briefly blocks traffic on Stanley Park Causeway
This latest environmental protest comes on the heels of groups like Save Old Growth blocking traffic and vandalizing popular landmarks to draw attention to and stop the logging of old trees in British Columbia
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“I think it’s very unfortunate that these groups are suing these types of dangerous, frankly, tactics to get their point across when they’re legitimate,” Leamon said. “But I think by engaging in these kinds of unreasonable tactics, they’re alienating a lot of the population.”
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