Public Advisory: Public Requested to Avoid Attending Large Gatherings
On
April 1, 2021, the Government of Ontario, in consultation with the Chief
Medical Officer of Health, issued an Emergency Brake Shutdown, effective April
3, 2021, 12:01 a.m. Additionally, further restrictions by way of a
Province-wide Emergency Stay-at-Home Order was implemented, effective April 8,
12:01 a.m. in an effort to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking
part in large gatherings, including protests and demonstrations, contravenes
the Emergency Orders. The Brantford Police Service recognizes the Charter
protected right of any group to assemble peacefully in order to draw public
attention to a specific cause so long as such a gathering does not breach any
applicable statutes or municipal by-laws. Any gathering, regardless of its
intended purpose, which is over the legal limit, will merit an appropriate
police response in order to enhance community safety concerns.
Large
gatherings of more than five people are not permitted under Emergency Orders.
Brantford
Police Service is aware of a large gathering planned for the afternoon of
Saturday, April 17, 2021 in the area of Henry Street and Wayne Gretzky Parkway.
In the interest of public safety, we ask members of the public not to
congregate in large gatherings and to avoid the area. Traffic delays or
temporary street closures in the area may occur.
Any gatherings on private property without permission from
the owner is considered an offence under the Trespass to Property Act.
As
it is our duty to ensure the safety and well-being of the public, officers will
de-escalate potential situations, but have the ability to enforce orders
related to the shutdown as well as other provincial and federal laws, should
this be necessary.
After a large gathering
on April 3, 2021, officers identified organizers and to-date, a total of 27
breaches of the Provincial Reopening Act for
Failing to Comply with a Continued 7.0.2 Order were issued following the event. The investigation is ongoing. Additional charges
may result.
Brantford
Police Service continue to work alongside the City of Brantford Bylaw
Enforcement and Public Health to attend large gatherings and will take steps to
ensure the safety of the community as a whole.
BPS
encourages everyone to do their part to support our health care system and
workers at this difficult time and minimize the impact of COVID-19 in our
community.
BPS
continues to provide public safety services to the community we serve and
supports the efforts of federal, provincial and local health authorities to
limit the transmission of COVID-19, including the government-mandated Emergency
Brake Shutdown during this pandemic. We appreciate the public’s ongoing support
of these measures.
Public
Safety in Partnership with the Community