Toronto police have busted more than 1,000 illegal gatherings in the past 3 weeks
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With Toronto s warmest weekend of the year to date just hours from popping off, police are once again urging all residents to refrain from gathering in groups.
Not only is such behaviour illegal under the Reopening Ontario Act and in violation of municipal physical distancing bylaws, it could cost you a pretty penny and you re more likely than ever to get caught now that special COVID-19 measure enforcement teams are in play.
An anti-lockdown protest at Bellevue Park Saturday afternoon brought out roughly two dozen maskless people to rally against what one speaker characterized as a removal of rights and freedoms.
The speaker told protesters that the first protest in Bellevue Park was sensationalized in the media, with the mayor advising people not to attend. But there are people out there, he said, who can think for themselves.
“They’re coming to the conclusion that these lockdowns have nothing to do with the virus - they have everything to do with removing our freedoms, with removing our rights,” he said.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service was on hand, mobile command unit in tow. Officers were seen writing up tickets and distributing them to protesters.
Please don t gather , Toronto police issue more than 400 additional fines ahead of weekend
by Carl Garnich, News Staff
Posted May 14, 2021 4:09 pm EDT
Last Updated May 14, 2021 at 4:28 pm EDT
Bicycle police officers keep an eye on Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Summary
1,017 provincial and criminal charges have been laid
While it’s expected to be a nice weekend weather-wise, with highs nearing 20 degrees, Toronto police are once again urging people to not gather with friends and family.
Staff Superintendent Randy Carter said in a statement that officers have attended 1,000 gatherings since the launch of the service’s dedicated enforcement teams on April 22.
BARRIE, ONT. Ontario provincial police charged six men from the Windsor area who they say were gathered at a short-term rental property in Oro-Medonte. According to the OPP, officers received information about the group hanging out near Parkside Beach on Thursday night. Police say the men rented a house through a popular short-term rental service. Under the current stay-at-home order, all indoor and outdoor social gatherings are prohibited, except for members of the same household. The six men are charged with failing to comply with the Reopening Ontario Act and were all issued provincial offence notices. Recently, residents in Oro-Medonte expressed their concern about an influx of out-of-towners with the May long weekend approaching.