Two tickets issued in Aurora parks on first weekend of increased patrols

Newmarket officers enforce awareness through education, issue no tickets

Yorkregion.com
April 22, 2020
John Cudmore

Aurora bylaw officers issued two tickets for violations of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act during the period from April 18 to 19.

It was the first weekend the Town of Aurora stepped up its vigilance in parks and public areas with extra staff to ensure residents were observing public health recommendations.

Officers also issued two tickets for parks infractions and one dog at large ticket.

In total, Aurora bylaws officers interacted with 225 people over the weekend.

In Newmarket, no tickets were issued for failing to comply with COVID-19 safety recommendations during the weeklong period from April 13 through 20.

Still, bylaws enforcement staff received 78 formal complaints, including 33 concerning physical distancing issues in essential and non-essential businesses remaining open.

An additional 35 complaints about physical distancing on private and public properties were fielded. There were 10 complaints about social gatherings in parks.

“However, we are monitoring a few private residences that were given warnings for gatherings,” said Flynn Scott, manager of regulatory services, suggesting education is gaining compliance. “If we determine they are continuing to have gatherings, we will be moving forward with issuing fines.”

Scott said Newmarket bylaws officers conducted 285 park patrols and interacted with 1,006 people on trails and within parks.

The key issues continue to be social distancing, groups (primarily parents with children) in sports fields, dogs off-leash, house parties and gatherings.