INNISFAIL - The province has paved the way for stricter enforcement for public safety against COVID-19 contamination and local police and peace officers now have the authority to break up large groups and even hand out tickets with potentially big fines.
“We do have that extra tool and we have not applied any enforcement measures,” said Todd Becker. “At this point the community is really responding well. It can improve and be aware. Right now, there are lots of conversations going on, engagements but no level of enforcement, only education.”
He said the town’s Emergency Management Committee is now meeting weekly to get Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) updates, which will be made available to council and the public.
However, Becker did note the town’s peace officers now have the ability to ticket for non-compliance. He said the town will exercise that option if required to support the town’s local state of emergency, which was declared on March 20.
“We are trusting the public will follow what is expected of them from the government,” said Becker. “However, under extreme circumstances we will ensure compliance exists. We would rather not ticket people but at the same time for those that are deliberately non-complying with those expectations then of course we will consider the tickets possibility.”
Late last month the province ordered mandatory mass gathering restrictions with no more than 15 people allowed, including conferences, workshops, worship gatherings, and family events, such as weddings funerals and outdoor social events.
As well, citizens who violate a self-isolation order or join groups of more than 15 could face a $1,000 fine for first offence or up to $100,000 for serious infractions. It is also mandatory for travellers returning from a foreign country to self-isolate for 14 days.
Most recently, the province introduced Bill 10, the Public Health (Emergency Powers) Amendment Act that was created to provide law enforcement agencies full authority to enforce public health orders during a pandemic.
“We are not going to be hard-nosed about this but we do have the option when we see a group of people together at a function we can immediately walk in and close the door and say, ‘out’’’ said mayor Jim Romane, noting tickets and fines give the town another tool in its toolbox to better protect the public during the pandemic crisis. “Hopefully we never need it but it’s available and we want everybody to know we are not taking this with a grain of salt here. This is serious stuff.”
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Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk said his detachment received local complaints before the provincial announcement but now with strict enforcement guidelines in place it now gives them additional authority to ensure compliance.
“We haven’t come across anything since the announcement was made,” he said, adding the detachment is also trying to keep its members and staff healthy and safe by minimizing contact. “But if we do get a complaint, we will take it seriously and take appropriate measures.”
Matechuk acknowledged it’s up to stores that are open to ensure best safety and health practices are kept up but if it’s a case where they can’t he added, local Mounties will provide them assistance.
“The community has to get on board and the stores have to exercise that and it is their responsibility but if it comes to a case where someone is repeatedly doing it, most definitely we will attend and provide them with assistance,” he said, adding if it’s necessary a ticket will be issued.“The province has stepped up enforcement and we will most definitely look at that,” he said. “We are interested in community safety and if someone is refusing to abide by that…we will be forced to take enforcement action on that.”
