RCMP warn against vigilantism as they investigate series of Deer Island incidents

RCMP are warning the public against acts of vigilantism as they investigate a series of incidents on Deer Island that saw a car heavily damaged by a group of people and a building burned to the ground.

Police "do not condone the public taking policing matters into their own hands," New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Stphane Esculiersaid in a statement Wednesday.

"Doing this puts themselves and others in their communities at risk, including someone being seriously injured or killed, or facing arrest and legal proceedings for their own actions."

The warning comes asinvestigators from the St. George detachment are on Deer Island, with members from specialized units, such a forensic identificationand community crime reduction, on their way, Esculier told CBCNews.

"We're definitely dedicated to conduct the investigation fully."

Started late Tuesday night

The series of incidents startedTuesday, shortly after 11 p.m., when RCMPreceiveda report of a disturbance at the ferry terminal on Deer Island, said Esculier.

A carwas "heavily damaged by a group of unknown individuals" and returned to the mainland. There, St. George officers spoke to the people whose car was damaged.

About an hour later, police were called about afire at an "abandoned residence" on the island, Esculiersaid.

"According to preliminary investigation, it would appear that the fire would be suspicious in nature, most likely criminal."

Then, on Wednesday, around 10:30 a.m., police received a report of a theft of fuel at the ferry terminal on Deer Island.

No officer stationed on island for years

Esculier could not immediately comment on reports of alleged vigilantism by local residents over recent thefts, which have included everything from gas and batteries to fishing equipment and lobsters, according to some people CBChas spoken to.

It's all part of the investigation, he said, noting it could be a lengthy one. Anyone with any information about the incidents can call St. George RCMPor Crime Stoppers.

Esculier confirmed an RCMP officer used to be stationed on the island but not for "a few years." Calls are handled by St. Georgeinstead. He could not immediately say why.

It takes about 20 minutes to drive from St. George to Letete to catch the ferry to Deer Island. Thecrossing takes about 20 minutes, according to the Department of Transportation's website.

Roughly 700 people live on the 45-square-kilometre island.

"Even if there's no officer present 24 hours a day there's always RCMP officers that are in position to respond to urgent priority calls," Esculier said.

Asked about the fact the island has no ferry service for about eight hours overnight, hesaid RCMP can commission the ferry after-hours, if necessary.

Investigations take time

Esculier said he understands "there's definitely frustration" about crime rates in affected communities but said RCMP takeall reports of crime seriously.

"Sometimes investigations take longer than what the public may believe" they should, he said. But police follow a process as they gatherevidence to support any charges.

"We need communities and citizens to work together with us legally and safely in order to protect everyone."

Residents 'got fed up ... had enough'

Volunteer fire Chief Dwayne Richardson saidthe "back history" is that residents believe a growing number of people who use drugs, including some who steal things, come and go from the island.

"This group of people stands out as problem people, and every time they show up, you know, there's stuff being stolen from the wharveswhether it's gas cans, or batteries, or inverters off the vessels," Richardson said."You know,it's obvious when they arrive on Deer Island that things are going missing.

"They felt that they had immunity, either from the people or from the law. And I guess the people of the island just got fed up [Tuesday] night and had enough of it."

Firefighters were called just after midnight Tuesdayto a fire at a locationwhere the alleged lawbreakersstay "intermittently,"said Richardson, noting some tents were also in the yard.

By the time crews arrived, the "old house"wasin flames.

"It was beyond doing, you know, anything with," Richardson said."So it was basically just a defensive operation and just keep it from spreading into the woods."

Seventeen firefighters battled the blazeuntil just after 4:30 a.m.

Thehouseand small structure behind it both burned to the ground.

Nobody was there at the time, said Richardson.

Island'a lot different' than it used to be

He said it was his understanding that the people who normally staythere were met coming off the ferryabout an hourearlierby 30 to 40 local residents.

The residents had a discussionwith them, and then the ferry, which had stopped running for the night, made an extra run to return the people to the mainland, according to Richardson.

This is the first [time] in my life that something this drastic's happened.- Dwyane Richardson, volunteer fire chief and resident

"This is the first [time] in my life that something this drastic's happened," he said.

Richardson, 54, a married father of two grown sons,has lived on Deer Island his whole life.

"Things are a lot different than they used to be when I grew up here and even, you know, when my kids were smaller," he said.

Drugs are "more and more readily available," said Richardson,who described himself as being among those who are frustrated.

"And it's like anything in a small area, you know, everybody knows your business and who's doing what."

The lack ofonsite policingis a concern for some residents,said Richardson.

"We're a remote community, you know, with a ferry that runs from sixin the morning till 11o'clock at night, so if something happenslike this, you know, there's no police readily available," he said.

"I think people want to betreated equallywhether it's policing, or whatever it is."