YOUTHS CAUGHT PUTTING UP PRO-POT TAG

A pair of youths were caught red handed, spray painting a
pro-marijuana tag on a fence near the West Kelowna Wal-Mart in the
middle of the afternoon.

A police officer caught the two males, aged 12 and 13 respectively,
painting the tag "4:20" on a fence panel next to the store at 1:20 p.m. Sunday.

4:20 has become a common slang term for marijuana. Within the drug
culture it refers to both a time of day and a date.

4:20 p.m. is regarded by many as the universal time of day to get
high, while April 20 is the unofficial national marijuana day.

Recently it has become a common graffiti tag popping up around the
Central Okanagan.

"I know it is a popular tag to put out there," said RCMP Const. Steve Holmes.

He called the attempt at graffiti "brazen" because the kids were
defacing the fence in broad daylight next to a busy Wal-Mart.

"They will be facing a charge of mischief to property," said Holmes
about the arrested youths. "They were released to guardians on a
promise to appear."

Both youths have conditions on their release. They are not allowed to
have contact with one another, must not consume alcohol or drugs and
are not to possess paint or ink markers.

"Because apparently large ink markers are also used to deface
property," said Holmes.

While the youths are facing charges, Holmes said the two youngsters
are likely candidates for alternative justice measures, such as a
restorative justice program.