COVID-19: Reporting Violations and Inquiries
General Inquires
Brantford Police Service – Public FAQ’s
Police Services
Q. How can I file a police report?
Q. Can I go to the police station to make a report?
Q. How can I get a Criminal Record Check, a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or a Vulnerable Sector Screening?
Q. Can I pick up my property?
Q. I need to attend a Collision Reporting Centre, are they open?
Q. How are the Emergency Orders that are now in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19 enforced?
Complaints related to self-isolation or quarantine
Complaints related to non-compliance with physical distancing guidelines on private property (e.g. grocery stores)
Q. What is Social Distancing?
- Avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings
- Avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
- Limiting contact with people at higher risk (e.g. older adults and those in poor health)
- Keeping a distance of at least two arms lengths (approximately two metres or six feet) from others
- Washing hands and often touched spaces frequently
Q. What are Police doing to ensure businesses and their property are being protected?
BPS remains committed to providing essential services throughout the community. We recognize that many businesses have temporarily closed due to COVID-19. As always, we will continue proactive patrols and respond to calls for service to ensure the safety and security of our community. If members of the public observe suspicious activity or individuals, near or close to a business, they are encouraged to call police immediately. Reporting crime and providing relevant information allows our investigators to identify suspects and solve crime.
Complaints regarding price gouging
Businesses who have additional questions
Companies and workplaces that have questions about the temporary closure of all non-essential workplaces related order can call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659
For any other type of business, report your concerns to the City Online for call the City’s Customer Contact Center at 519-759-4150.
For more information about what the City can enforce in priority order, please visit: http://www.Brantford.ca/covid19Violations
Employee Concerns
Q. What should I do if someone comes to my house, calls me or sends a text asking for COVID-19 relief donations or is selling COVID-19 related products and services?
Staffing & Screening
Q. Are there enough police officers to keep the city safe?
Q. Is the Brantford Police Service screening those in custody?
Enforcement Practices
Q. Has there been a reduction in crime or have police officers stopped making arrests?
There has been no change in the operational direction provided to our members.
We are not experiencing a significant change to our calls for service, however; we are asking the public to please not call 9-1-1 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property. Any questions related to COVID-19 should be directed to local public health officials and/or the City’s COVID-19 line at 519-759-4150.
Q. Why do I have to identify myself?
On March 31, 2020, the Government of Ontario made changes that require an individual to identify themselves at the request of a police officer, if there are reasonable grounds to believe the individual is violating an emergency order.
Q. What is the role of the Police?
The role of the police during a pandemic or emergency situation continues to be focused on ensuring public safety, providing public information and education, and enforcing the law in a thoughtful manner. Municipal, provincial, or federal governments may invoke legislation that, in some cases, provides the police with new powers of authority for a defined period of time, usually until the problem being addressed is resolved.
Complaints received by the police about groups or establishments breaching various orders could involve, but are not necessarily limited to, the following actions:
- Receive and assess the complaint to determine if there is a violation of any legislation and/or regulations and if police, public health officials or other entities (such as bylaw officers) are required.
- If a violation of the legislation and/or regulations has been assessed, charges may be laid. However, emphasis is being placed on education to ensure compliance. Enforcement is generally considered as a last resort and is likely to be focused on repeat offenders.
- If a party is found to be guilty of an offence, they could be subject to fines and/or jail time depending on the legislation.
When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that the police may be called upon to enforce new authorities that have been invoked by various levels of government. There are numerous discussions taking place across the country to determine the best approach to this evolving situation.
Q. How do I find more information about COVID-19?
Ontario has launched a dedicated web page to provide up to date public information with a summary of data from Public Health Ontario that offers expanded information every day at 10:30 a.m. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
BPS Investigate Fire Fatality
Crime Brief - January 14, 2021
Location: Colborne Street and Park Avenue
On Friday, January 8, 2021 at approximately 4:18 a.m., members of the Brantford Police Service were dispatched to attend a convenience store located at Colborne Street and Park Avenue in regards to a report of a male having damaged a motor vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect was bound by a probation order to keep the peace and be of good behavior.
As a result of the investigation, a 40-year-old male from Brantford has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code:
- Mischief under $5000
- Breach of Probation Order
Type: Robbery / Firearm Charges
Incident: 21-01147
Location: Market Street
On Sunday, January 10, 2021 at approximately 9:40 p.m., officers with the Brantford Police Service received a 9-1-1 call from an employee at a restaurant located on Market Street to report an armed robbery.
As a result of the investigation, a 26-year-old male from Brantford was arrested and has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Firearm – use while committing and offence
- Point firearm
- Disguise with intent
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Obstruct peace officer
- Breach of Probation
- Firearm of weapon – possession contrary to prohibition x 4
Type: Theft
Incident: 21-01412
Location: Dufferin Avenue / William Street
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at approximately 3:45 a.m. officers with the Brantford Police Service were dispatched to the area of Dufferin Ave in regards to a report of a male who was observed opening car doors of several motor vehicles within the area.
BPS Seek Information in Drive-by Shooting Incident
BPS Seek Suspects in BB Gun Assaults
Crime Brief - January 7, 2021
- Weapons Dangerous
- Mischief under $5000
- Assault with a weapon
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
- Breach of Probation x2
- Breach Court Order
- Cause Disturbance
- Assault x2
- Resist Arrest
- Uttering Threats
- Uttering Threats to Property
- Fail to leave premises when directed contrary to the Trespass to Property Act, and
- Failure to comply contrary to the Reopening Ontario Act
- Mischief under $5000 x 4
- Cause Disturbance
- Breach of Probation x 2
- Forgery
- Fraud Under $5000
- Identity Theft
- Identity Fraud x 3
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x 2
- Possession of Credit Card
- Possession of Break in Instruments
- Failure to Comply with Undertaking
- Breach of Probation
COVID-19 Outbreak at BPS Resolved
- In-person record check applications and freedom-of-information requests will not be accepted in person. Please visit www.brantfordpolice.ca to submit requests online.
- Non-emergency crimes, such as thefts from vehicles, fraud and property damage under $5,000, can be reported online at www.brantfordpolice.ca
- Additional screening questions related to COVID-19 will be asked of callers before an officer is dispatched. Officers may be wearing protective equipment such as gloves and masks.
- Do not call 911 or visit the station if you have COIVD-19-related questions — 911 is for critical situations and emergencies only. For any COVID-19-related questions, please call 519-759-4150 or email covidviolations@brantford.ca or the Brant County Health Unit at 519-753-4937 or covid19@bchu.org
- COVID related violations can be reported by emailing covidviolations@brantford.ca or calling 519-759-4150
NYE Gathering Results in ROA Charge
Incident # 21-00008
At approximately 1:20 a.m. on January 1, 2021, officers with the Brantford Police Service received a report of an illegal social gathering involving attendees from more than one household. Officers attended, and have charged a 30-year-old female from Brantford, with Fail to Comply under the Reopening Ontario Act.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Brantford Police Service would like to remind the public that under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, businesses or organizations must ensure that masks or face coverings are worn by any person (including members of the public and workers) in the indoor area of the business or organization, with limited exceptions.
Under the COVID-19 Emergency Orders, gatherings of persons from outside the same household are not permitted. Each attendee / organizer can be fined in accordance with the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act.
Individuals violating the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act are subject to a set fine of $880. Individuals planning or organizing gatherings with persons outside their immediate household are subject to a fine of $10,000.
Members of the public are reminded of the need to comply with COVID-19 safety measures including physical distancing, hand cleaning, and the proper wearing of facial / mouth coverings.
To report a violation of COVID-19 provincial or municipal orders in Brantford, please visit Brantford.ca to access the online form or call the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150.
"Public Safety in Partnership with our Community”
Public reminded to celebrate responsibly and comply with COVID-19 restrictions this New Year's Eve
- Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to reduce the negative impacts of social isolation.
- Limit of 10 individuals for outdoor organized public events and social gatherings (must comply with public health advice on social distancing)
- Weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distance can be maintained have a limit of 10 people indoors or outdoors
- Individuals violating the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act are subject to a set fine of $880.
- Individuals planning or organizing gatherings with persons outside their immediate household are subject to a set fine of $10,000.
Reporting COVID-19 Violations:
MALE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, MISCHIEF AND CONTRAVENTIONS UNDER THE REOPENING ONTARIO ACT
When reminded that wearing a face covering within the retail location is mandatory under the Reopening Ontario Act, the accused male physically assaulted the store employee and then fled.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on December 23, 2020, officers with the Brantford Police Service received an additional report of an individual within a retail location on Lynden Road who assaulted a store employee after being asked to wear a face covering.
The accused male became confrontational and belligerent towards the store employee after being asked to wear a face covering. Upon being asked to leave the store, the accused threw merchandise at the store associate.
Officers confirmed the same male was responsible for both incidents.
As a result of the investigation, a 25 year old male from Brantford, stands charged with the following:
- Assault X 2 under the Criminal Code
- Mischief under $5,000 under the Criminal Code and,
- Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act
To report a violation of COVID-19 provincial or municipal orders in Brantford, please visit Brantford.ca to access the online form or call the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150.
"Public Safety in Partnership with our Community”