Breaking distancing rules will cost you in Peel Region

Torontosun.com
April 8, 2020
Joe Warmington

Even during a pandemic, two guys in their 20s decided it would be fun to do some daredevil jumps at the Iceland skateboard park in Mississauga.

Not to be outdone, a family in Brampton decided to turn a birthday celebration into a street party.

Busted.

In both cases, Peel Regional Police hit them with $750 fines for breaking COVID-19 physical distance laws. The skateboarders were trespassing, too, because the skateboard park was clearly signed as closed.

Most are following the rules and respecting social distancing rules. But Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie are frustrated many refuse to obey directives which are meant to keep everyone safe.

“The birthday party was a street party,” said a frustrated Brown. ”Empty streets don’t mean it’s an excuse to have a party.”

It’s not the only breach they have seen in Brampton.

“At a soccer field, we charged groups three different times who had jumped the fence of the closed field,” said Brown.

These are examples of people flagrantly disobeying the law. Brampton has stepped up efforts to put an end to such violations.

“We have added 10 bylaw officers,” said Brown. “We mean business in Brampton.”

Mississauga had 30 officers out over the weekend who nailed those blatantly disobeying the spirit of what the emergency measures are meant to accomplish.

“Our city’s protocol is to always inform and educate as a first step, with fines being issued as an escalated second step if necessary,” said Crombie’s office.

But Crombie, who is expected to make an “important” announcement over social media on Wednesday afternoon, told the Toronto Sun that while her city has been lenient, there are too many rule breakers.

“We were receiving far too many complaints on social media and through 311 about people getting together in our parks, not keeping a proper distance or disrespecting park facility closures such as playgrounds, basketball courts or dog parks,” said Crombie. “We also received several complaints of people hosting large gatherings with family or friends or non-essential businesses still operating.”

Crombie and Brown want the violations to end.

I’m not gung-ho about nailing already struggling people with major fines. But as they explained it in Brampton and Mississauga, people won’t run into any trouble as long as they follow social distancing rules.

“I was down at Jack Darling Park over the weekend and spoke with a few residents, many who were confused about the rules in our parks,” said Crombie. “For example, one resident thought because our leash-free parks were closed, they couldn’t bring their dog for a walk through the park. This is why education is so important.

“As a result of the blitz, our bylaw officers engaged with over 500 residents on physical distancing rules, turned back 500 cars at our parks and issued two $750 tickets.”

Brown, meanwhile, said it’s the same in Brampton where common sense prevails. However, if people put others at risk, there will be consequences.

Both mayors understand it’s difficult to be cooped up. But when we’re in the grips of a pandemic, it’s not the time to put others at risk with reckless behaviour.