Image: Mission RCMP

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Reduced mayhem in Mission

City of Mission, RCMP see major improvement in Halloween night calls after rough turn of events in 2024

Nov 5, 2025 | 9:28 AM

MISSION — After a disastrous Halloween in 2024 that saw repeated incidents of mayhem and an RCMP officer get assaulted, the City of Mission says first responders fared much better during last Friday’s Halloween.

In a news release, the municipality said first responders noted a considerable improvement in the number and types of calls for service on Halloween night this year, thanks in part to a coordinated effort between the Mission Fire Rescue Service, Mission RCMP, and the City of Mission.

The city said extra patrols were scheduled throughout the weekend to help keep the community safe, while residents were out enjoying their Halloween festivities.

Mission RCMP responded to 46 calls for service this year – 10 fewer than last year – but it was the nature of the calls which really left a more positive impression for the night.

Mission RCMP reported in November 2024 that one of its officers was struck with a baton during a Halloween night disturbance. Further, an estimated 300 youth had gathered around Griner Park and Albert McMahon Elementary School. Police say they received reports of various offences, including youth assaulting another youth, rocks being thrown at a car, fireworks being shot at cars, and fireworks being set off in the direction of buildings. When an officer attempted to take one youth into his vehicle to wait for a parent to arrive, another group of youth approached the police car, worked to open the doors, and began kicking and spitting on the police car. While another officer was dealing with a different group of youth, one of the youth struck the officer in the face and hand with a baton. Fortunately, that officer was not seriously injured.

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This year, however, things were much better.

“After significant issues in 2024, this year there were even more RCMP officers on duty, along with quick-response task forces, each of which were comprised of an RCMP officer, a Bylaws officer, and a fire truck,” the city said. “These task forces staged in various hot-spot locations, and were equipped and ready to immediately deal with any issues before they escalated.”

The biggest portion of calls to police involved 19 reports related to fireworks or bylaw complaints, as well as various party and disturbance calls. Several impaired drivers were also taken off the roads through proactive efforts. A large group of youth gathered for a short time outside Edwin S. Richards Elementary, however, officers were able to disperse the crowd without any significant issues, the city said.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to our safety personnel, including the on call firefighters who gave their time over the Halloween period,” Mayor Paul Horn said. “It’s unfortunate that we continue to have a need for intensive enforcement, but we are glad to see that we made progress on the fireworks issue this year.”

The integrated enforcement approach signified a notable improvement over the previous year, and Mission RCMP and the City of Mission say they will look to use a similar approach again next year with the ultimate goal of helping residents to be safe, while still encouraging good Halloween fun for all ages throughout Mission.