Cobourg Police Services Serves Tickets After a Gathering at Victoria Hall

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Local, Police Blotter

Police urge everyone to stay home unless it is essential.
The Cobourg Police Service issued nine tickets as a result of a gathering in the Town of Cobourg in violation of the current provincewide Stay-At-Home-Order.

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 10, 2021, officers responded to a gathering taking place in front of Victoria Hall located at 55 King Street West in the Town of Cobourg.

Upon arrival, police estimated between twenty-five and thirty individuals were gathered. Officers spoke with the group, requesting they disperse and comply with the current Stay-At-Home order.

As a result, seven Provincial Offences Notices were issued for Fail to Comply with an order made during a declared emergency Contrary to Section 7.0.11(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Additionally, two individuals were issued Provincial Summons for the Offence of Obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency Contrary to Section 7.0.00(1)
Police are currently looking to identify three people who attended the gathering on Saturday that would not identify themselves. These people will be tickets as well.

“We have provided notice to the community that we would be enforcing the Stay-at-Home Order and ticketing accordingly. The expectations have been made clear, and this community group continues to gather in spite of our efforts,” says Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Cobourg Police Service. “This past weekend, despite being treated with disrespect and having derogatory slurs hurled at them, from some individuals of the group, my officers and Town Bylaw remained calm and professional. I remain committed to working with our community and local partners to continue to promote compliance.”

“As Mayor of the Town of Cobourg I have received countless phone calls, emails and messages asking for the Town and our Police Service to continue to protect our community. I want to ensure everyone that the Cobourg Police Service has had your protection in mind since the start of this pandemic. I support and commend the entire service, and I support and commend the community for continuing to abide by the Stay At-Home Order. We are all working together to keep our community safe.” Mayor John Henderson, Town of Cobourg.

The Stay-at-Home order requires everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely.

Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information on restrictions.

The Cobourg Police Service supports all measures necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community and will continue to work with local public health, municipal and regional officials to ensure compliance. With the Province under a Stay-at-Home Order, the Cobourg Police will be enforcing violations under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). Police will be issuing tickets to anyone who does not comply with provincial guidelines and 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 COVID-19 – Town of Cobourg