Calgary police urge people to be careful on rivers this weekend

It's going to be a hot weekend and people who plan to cool down on city rivers are being urged to swim and boat responsibly.

Bylaw officers will be out in full force to make sure people are wearing life jackets and that there is no consumption of alcohol on the river.The city's bylaw department is reminding people even in shallow water, things can go wrong quickly.

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So far this year, the Calgary police marine unit has issued640 warnings to people on the riverwho either weren't wearing life jackets or were consuming alcohol.

"One of the other issues that we've identified this year that we haven't seen in the past is people who seem to think it's okay to drive their 4X4 trucks in the river," saidInsp.Tom Hanson.

"It causes a large amount of damage,there's waste that comes off those vehicles and causes environmental damage as well."

Hanson says such stunts can net offenders an automaticcourt appearance and fines exceeding $1,000.

There havebeen eightincidents where the marine unit had to interveneand help people in trouble. The Calgary Fire Department has performed 24 water rescues this year.

"Our biggest concern is that someone is going to be seriously injured, or killed, as a result of an unfortunate accident combined with alcohol impairment and improper use of a life jacket," Hanson said in a release.

"People's lives can be forever changed in the blink of an eye."

One-quarter of boating fatalities in Canada occur when a life jacket is present on board but not worn, according to the Canadian Red Cross.

Failure to wear a life jacket or personal flotation device means amandatorycourtappearance.

Fines for unsafe or disrespectfulbehaviourrange from $115 for consuming liquor in public to $1,000 for disposal ofburning litter. Check the city'swebsitefor safety advisories and bylaws.