Toronto police lay hundreds of charges after breaking up parties this past weekend
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Toronto s dedicated enforcement teams were out in full force this weekend in an effort to break up illegal parties and help stop the spread of COVID-19 and they certainly had plenty to keep them busy.
Police Chief James Ramer tweeted Monday that officers laid a total of 221 charges related to non-compliance with emergency orders, including some criminal code charges, on just Friday and Saturday alone in Toronto. Our enforcement efforts continue, he wrote. Please continue to stay home and stay safe.
Toronto police busted more than 200 illegal parties over the weekend
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As the longest lockdown in North America drags on, Toronto residents appear to be growing bolder when it comes to operating outside the law (which at this point includes provincewide stay-at-home orders.)
Either that, or police are finally cracking down for real on the kind of illegal private house parties that have been taking place all over the city since last summer.
Whatever the case likely a combination of pandemic fatigue, warmer weather and enhanced enforcement efforts hundreds of people were caught this past weekend attending illegal gatherings in Toronto.
TORONTO Toronto police say they have laid approximately 160 charges and broken up a number of large indoor gatherings five days after launching a new initiative to enforce Ontario’s stay-at-home order. In a news release issued Monday, police said that the charges were issued by the city’s 16 dedicated enforcement teams to support the provincewide order while helping to “slow the spread of the virus.” Most of the 210 calls received came from downtown Toronto, according to police, with Saturday, April 24 being the busiest night as officers responded to gatherings at houses, apartments, short-term rentals and businesses. Police said that in one call that originated at a condo in the area of King and Portland streets, officers were met with a “large number of people inside the property.”
Last Updated Saturday, April 17, 2021 6:44PM EDT The Ontario government has revised the new police powers that initially let officers make random stops to enforce the stay-at-home order. Now, the province said police may stop individuals only if they are suspected of participating in an organized event or social gathering. The government announced the changes Saturday evening. If a police officer or other provincial offences officer has reason to suspect that you are participating in an organized public event or social gathering, they may require you to provide information to ensure you are complying with restrictions, a statement from the office of the Solicitor General reads.
TORONTO Toronto police say they will not be performing random stops of people or vehicles under Ontario’s enhanced public health measures, joining a number of other forces who will opt out of the new enforcement. Ontario introduced sweeping new restrictions Friday in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province’s third wave. One of those measures includes more power for police where officers can legally stop individuals on the street and in vehicles and question their reasons for leaving their homes. Those who will not comply will be issued a ticket under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Penalties for non-compliance are set at a minimum of $750, Jones said.