Q. I need to attend a Collision Reporting Centre, are they open?

Yes. However, the Collision Reporting Centre has amended hours of operation to 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and are now closed on Saturdays until further notice.

Screening methods have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of the public and their employees. These may include instructing citizens to remain outside in their vehicles to await a CRC staff member, putting restrictions on who can attend, increased sanitization, not handling customer documents, and encouraging social distancing. 

Protecting Yourself

Q. What should I do if someone comes to my house, calls me or sends a text asking for donations or selling products and services?

We would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant when it comes to those trying to sell or provide products or services associated to COVID-19. Reliable, accurate and up-to-date information is provided through local public health officials. Anyone who believes they have been approached or contacted by someone who is misrepresenting themselves in an effort sell goods or services should report to police online at www.brantfordpolice.ca

Staffing & Screening

Q. Are there enough police officers to keep the city safe?

Brantford Police Service members have been provided with the same direction as the public when it comes to travel, self-isolation, and self-monitoring.

It is not in the interest of community safety for us to disclose our exact deployment numbers but we can say, at this time, this direction has impacted an extremely small number of members and we have not had to make any changes to our frontline policing services.

Prior to COVID-19, the Brantford Police Service had plans in place to address staffing needs during a public crisis or emergency. These plans include repurposing of resources, modifying members’ shifts, and adjusting our service delivery model. All of these steps would allow us to maintain public safety and respond to emergency calls for service. We have not had to make these adjustments to date.

Q. Is the Brantford Police Service screening those in custody?

We will not speak to any specific cases but we can say that every person in police custody is screened at least three times: upon arrest, at the division, and again when they are transported to court by a supervisor. These screenings include such questions as: do you have symptoms, have you travelled, have you been quarantined, etc. We continue to work with our emergency management partners to ensure our screening is the most effective it can be in determining the well-being of people in our custody to prevent possible exposure to our members and those who work along side us in the justice system.

Regarding releasing people rather than remanding, if we can release someone from custody we will, but our priority is on the safety of the public. If necessary, we have and will continue to seek opportunities to limit exposure to those who are in custody and will remain so throughout the court process.

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 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property. Any questions related to COVID-19 should be directed to local public health officials.

Q. Are the Brantford Police shutting down bars and restaurants that remain open?

The Brantford Police Service has the authority to enforce Orders made by the Ontario Government under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Our primary response will be to educate the owner/operator and have them close voluntarily. If establishments refuse to close and disobey the order they could receive fines of $750 to $1,000 or potentially be charged criminally for disobey court order. To date, we have had full cooperation from the community and no charges have been laid. 

Q. How do I report groups of people who are not practicing self-isolation and social distancing?

At the present time, the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act only provides authority to police services to address groups of 50 or more who are congregating in violation of the Act. 

The federal government has recently requested that everyone who has been abroad or in the United States is to remain at home for 14 days, even if no symptoms are present.

The Brantford Police Service has received complaints of people who have recently returned to Canada but are not self-isolating, as well as complaints regarding small groups (less than 50) who are congregating in parks and other social settings. As per current regulations, these complaints are required to be directed to the Brant County Health Unit at 519-753-4937 or  www.bchu.org  Please do not call 9-1-1 or the Brantford Police Service to report these occurrences. Officers from the Brantford Police Service will assist the Brant County Health Unit to address these situations as required. 

We wish to thank the many citizens who are acting responsibly and have been practicing self-isolation and social distancing. It is extremely important that we continue these actions and stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.