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6/22/2012
People west of Edmonton wonder how many more animals have to die before Parkland County will shut off access to an old gravel pit.
The area is known for attracting wild partiers. This week, residents say five cattle and a horse were shot on nearby farms. And it's hardly unusual anymore.
"In the past, there's been another horse shot, a sheep shot, I believe a cow (was shot). There's been a deer shot down there, they've shot woodpeckers," says a man who goes by "Trevor," because he's afraid of retaliation. "This isn't the first incident of shooting, but most of it was closer to the pit than what's happened now."
Photos courtesy: Range Road 23 Residents Group
"(There's been) fire, shooting, a rave one time with 400 to 600 people, numerous vandalism acts going on, and we want it stopped."
"There's been a lot of drug paraphernalia down there, possible drug deals, certainly usage of drugs, partying, alcohol," adds Trevor, saying that it's likely people from all over the greater Edmonton area. "They just want some place where they can go rip and tear and discharge their firearms."
And these are no ordinary firearms. Trevor says police have even seized a Russian assault rifle, and there are days neighbours find evidence of 300 shots fired in an hour. He's among a group of residents that wants the area shut down to vehicle traffic, which would discourage the partiers from coming back, while the county wants to make it a park. (bd)
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