House and parking lot parties lead to multiple physical distancing fines in Brampton

City of Brampton bylaw officers are still handing out several fines to residents and businesses flaunting physical distancing regulations aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Yorkregion.com
May 4, 2020
Graeme Firsque

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown gave an update on fines and charges under the city’s physical distancing bylaw – which has been enforced since March 31 – and said parties and people using closed playground equipment are still common occurrences.

Brown told reporters during an April 29 phone-in news conference that bylaw officers had conducted 4,584 inspections, issued 195 warnings and laid 30 more charges and fines in the previous seven days.

“We do take the time to warn residents that aren’t following the physical distancing bylaws that are stressed to be so important by public health as one of (the) key tools to help flatten the curve,” he said.

Thirteen of those charges were issued at five more house parties, and others at what the mayor called two "parking lot parties."

“Just because you can’t hold a party at your home doesn’t mean you can hold a party in a parking lot, and charges were laid in two instances for social gatherings in parking lots,” said the mayor.

The first fine issued under the city’s COVID-19 bylaw was for a house party involving 20 people on the very first day the legislation was enacted, and there have been several more prohibited social gatherings resulting in fines since then.

Public and private gatherings of more than five people not of the same household are prohibited. The typical fine reported by the city is $880, including a $150 victim surcharge. However, some infractions have led to court summons, and a judge can issue a fine of up to $100,000 for violating laws enacted under the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Brown also reminded residents with children that all playgrounds are closed until further notice, after the city issued eight more fines to families ignoring the signs posted at all parks and playgrounds in the city that indicated their use is prohibited.

“Obviously, if one family feels that they can use the parks, everyone is going to use the park. We’ve kept the trails open, but the playground equipment is not for public use at this point while physical distancing is so important,” he said.

In addition to the individual charges laid, the city said eight more business were charged or fined in the past week.

“The businesses range from contractors that are out working on the street to contractors working in the home, to a couple of businesses (that) are non-essential retail businesses,” said director of enforcement and bylaw services Paul Morrison.

The city is encouraging anyone wishing to report violations of the physical distancing bylaw to call 311.