Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said he’s directed his officers to enforce the Stay-at-Home Orders mandated by the Province.
Speaking outside Victoria Hall on Friday, April 9, 2021, VandeGraaf told Today’s Northumberland, he’s past the point of education, now it becomes a enforcement roll.
A group of people have protested each Saturday since the pandemic began last year.
Rain or shine, in cold or hot weather, protestors stood in front of Victoria Hall on King Street holding signs.
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Initially the protesters were somewhat anti-COVID, but for several months have been anti-lockdown.
VandeGraaf said every week he’s received at least four e-mails from concerned citizens about the protest in front of the town hall.
“I don’t have an issue protests,” said VandeGraaf.
“They happen all the time. Pre and post pandemic we are going to have protests.”
But he adds, the issue is when it starts to infringe on other people’s feeling of safety.
“We come down and we have conversations with the organizers, we try to get them to follow social distancing or physical distancing rules, but there comes a time where enough is enough.”
As the Chief of Police there is an expectation, “to ensure community wellness in totality.”
One protestor last week, Josh Clausen was given a ticket under the Reopening of Ontario Act about restrictions of five people and under.
“Now we’re back into a lockdown – and we anticipate as every Saturday prior to this one we’ll have more people here.”
VandeGraaf said police will be enforcing the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
“We’ll come down and if there is offences here on Saturday or any future Saturday or any other day we’re going to be asking people to disperse, because I always want to start by giving everybody the opportunity to leave. If the people don’t disperse, then unfortunately we’re going to have to potentially move to charges for individuals involved in this.”
VandeGraaf said for the last 14-months members of the Cobourg Police Service, “have served with distinction.”
And if there is an issue, VandeGraaf said the officers are following up on his direction to enforce the law.
“This is tough. Yesterday in Ontario 38 more people died in Ontario because of COVID.”
“We have an obligation to serve all without prejudice – without selection. Quite frankly there is a large selection of our community who just want to be safe and feel this is infringing upon their safety.”
“We will continue to deploy people (officers). We will continue to deploy extra officers where required.”
Police are not taking sides on what is right or wrong from a personnel standpoint.
“If not a law to wear a mask in public. A lot of people have a misunderstanding about that – that’s a health guildeline.”
“Physical distancing is a health guideline in a public space.”
“Protesting in large groups or large gatherings of more than five people is not allowed – plain and simple.”
The enforcement is not isolated to Victoria Hall.
VandeGraaf said officers will also be in Victoria Park and reminding families they can’t be setting up or having picnics.
“But if people choose not to obey a lawful request of a police officer there has to be a follow through.”
“If you don’t believe in masks, and you don’t believe in the virus, that’s your choice. You can have your beliefs.”
“My argument is, here is the rule, here is the laws. They have to be adhered too. Plain and simple.”
Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information on restrictions.
The set fines for Orders under EMCPA are:
$750 – Fail to comply with an order made during a declared emergency, contrary to section 7.0.11(1) of the EMCPA.
$1000 – Obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency, contrary to section 7.0.11(1) of the EMCPA.
$1000 – Obstruct any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency, contrary to section 7.0.11(1) of the EMCPA.
More information
On April 7, 2021, The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, declared a third provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). Effective Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a provincewide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes.
The current Stay-At-Home order is expected to remain in effect for at least four weeks but could be extended.
Resources
Government of Ontario
Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/61029/ontario-enacts-provincial-emergency-and-stay-at-home-order
HKPR District Health Unit
www.hkpr.on.ca
Town of Cobourg Information
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Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
