The Toronto Police Services unit dedicated to enforcing Ontario’s lockdown rules and stay-at-home order has issued 230 tickets in their very first week of operation.
According to a Friday afternoon news release, enforcement officers responded to 315 different incidents, which include 105 calls from residents about gatherings since April 22.
“The pandemic presents both public health and public safety risks,” inspector Matt Moyer said in the press release.
“We have an enforcement team in every Division across the city and officers are dispersing large gatherings daily and laying charges against those who are ignoring the emergency order.”
Currently the city has 16 teams dedicated to enforcing the rules in different areas of the city.
“As we head into the weekend, we are discouraging anyone who is thinking of attending or hosting a gathering, and reminding them that, if they do, they may very well expect the police in attendance as well. Please work with us to keep the city safe. Don’t attend parties or large gatherings. Stay home and stay safe,” said Moyer.
According to police, enforcement has been largely targeting indoor events and closed bars and restaurants.
“This is driven by our communities. They generate all these calls for service. They are asking us to go to large gathering calls, parties, beach parties, outdoor events and attend short-term rentals because the community sees that people are compromising pubic safety and putting themselves at risk,” said Moyer.
“They watch people having these events and parties and gatherings and they are asking for police support.”
Similarly, the City of Calgary revealed on Friday that it had issued 380 mask bylaw violation tickets since Calgary’s face coverings bylaw was introduced on August 1st.
