Local OPP responded to 184 COVID-related calls in Collingwood between April and June this year.
Inspector Mary Shannon, detachment commander for Collingwood/The Blue Mountains OPP, noted the calls in her report to Collingwood Police Services Board on Aug. 17.
There were another 131 COVID-related calls in The Blue Mountains over the same period of time.
The OPP have worked with the Collingwood’’s bylaw department to create a tiered response for enforcement of COVID-related calls for service and complaints.
“It’s been a lot of trial and error,” said Insp. Shannon. “I really want to tip my hat to bylaw, whose officers have been horrifically abused during their enforcement attempts … it hasn’t been an easy job and they’ve performed it admirably.”
According to Insp. Shannon’s second-quarter update, local police have focused their COVID-related response on Sunset Point, Heritage Drive, and the trail system “to ensure compliance and educate the public.”
The OPP have focussed on “hotspots” where people are likely to gather.
Patrols have also included the use of ATVs and bicycles, which Insp. Shannon’s report indicated were proving “most effective” in gaining compliance during the pandemic.
She noted Collingwood OPP completed 121 hours of patrol via ATVs on trails, which increased significantly with new COVID enforcement measures.
Police have used ATVs for routine patrols of trails, parks, and access points
Officers also put in 39 hours of bicycle patrols between April and June, and between 48 and 67 hours per month on foot patrols.
Vehicular traffic, noted Insp. Shannon, is as busy as ever and maybe more.
“We saw a decrease in traffic volume early, but that has quickly lapsed,” said Insp. Shannon. “I personally think that our traffic volume is now higher than it was pre-COVID.”
Collingwood OPP conducted 36 RIDE initiatives in April, 44 in May, and 45 in June. Police laid charges against a total of 19 drivers between April and June.
The local OPP launched their marine patrol vessel on May 19, and have since checked 528 vessels off the coasts of Collingwood and The Blue Mountains. OPP laid 66 charges under the Canadian Shipping Act and two impaired boating charges. There were 86 calls for service and OPP was part of six rescues between May 19 and the end of June. Officers spent 173 hours on marine patrols during that timeframe. The Collingwood/Blue Mountains OPP patrol zone runs from Christie Beach to Tiny Beaches and across to Christian Islands.
