Days after video of someone dumping garbage into a lake in B.C.’s Fraser Valley went viral online, police say they’ve handed out $1,000 in tickets to a woman believed to be responsible. The recording shows a confrontation at Mill Lake, where a woman is accused of littering—something the person behind the camera calls “disgusting” because “there’s wildlife in the water.” Additional images from the aftermath of the incident show trash floating among lily pads and ducks. The Abbotsford Police Department put out a call for tips on the woman’s identity Wednesday, and said they were able to find someone “within hours” with the public’s help. In a social media message, Sgt. Paul Walker noted that while the incident “understandably generated strong reactions,” things are “rarely as straightforward as they appear.” He alluded to “circumstances” and “challenges” that might not be captured in a short video recording. “While those things may not represent an excuse for behaviour, they may help explain or better understand what occurred,” Walker added. “What stands out is the positive example set by the majority of our community who shared information responsibly.” Police noted the video also prompted a wave of racist reactions. “Hateful comments directed at an individual’s race, ethnicity or background are unacceptable,” Walker added. “Those remarks do nothing to solve the problem.”
