The Nanaimo RCMP is issuing a warning to the public after a man recently exposed himself to a woman on one of the city’s local trails.
According to police, the incident took place at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, along the Beaches Estates Trail, which connects with the park of the same name near the intersection of Departure Bay Road and Estevan Road.
The man who exposed himself was described to police as being in his mid-20s with brown, curly hair and glasses. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket with grey sleeves, black sweatpants and grey runners. He was last seen walking in front of Save-On-Foods at Brooks Landing Mall.
Our city parks and trails are used by thousands of people every year for hiking, biking, jogging and a variety of other uses and are inherently safe. Unfortunately, like other communities, indecent exposures occur from time to time. Staying alert, maintaining spatial awareness and reacting properly are several ways to react if confronted,
said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
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Nanaimo RCMP advises trail users to be aware of who else might be sharing the space at any given time and suggests if anyone is approaching from behind that makes you feel uncomfortable, stop, pull over to the side of the trail and let them pass.
If any trail users encounter someone who is committing an indecent act, police say to stay calm, leave the area immediately and report the incident once it is safe to do so.
Police also advise users to always have a cell phone or a whistle on their person and if you have concern for your safety, run in the opposite direction and make noise.
Although cautioning the public about the recent incident, they hope it doesn’t deter people from using the local trail network.
“Don’t let a few incidents prevent you from getting out and enjoying nature,” reads a statement from Nanaimo RCMP.
Anyone with information regarding the Beaches Estates Trail incident is being asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, and quote file # 2022-13979.
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