OPP patrolled parks and trails in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains last weekend on ATVs, and issued warnings to those they spotted violating provincial emergency act orders.
Inspector Mary Shannon, detachment commander for Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP, said there were two units doing patrols in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains on Saturday and Sunday and she said those patrols will continue.
“They were patrolling the trail system and parks and into the Pretty River park space looking for those violating the social distancing rules and issuing warnings at provincial parks for people trespassing,” said Insp. Shannon during a virtual press conference today. “We issued a lot of warnings for individuals who were out in parks.”
But so far, it’s just been warnings. Shannon confirmed the local OPP has not yet issued fines for violators.
She said the OPP has been working with town bylaw enforcement and the school boards to make sure proper signage is in place and proper notice is posted in areas such as school playgrounds and parks.
“We’re at the stage where we’re probably going to see some enforcement,” said Shannon. “There’s absolutely no reason any longer that people can say they don’t know what the requirements are and where they can access and what activities can be condoned.”
In addition to the patrols, Insp. Shannon said local OPP received 28 calls for service related to COVID-19 this week. She also noted there's been an increase in calls for the OPP's mental health unit.
"We're seeing calls of that nature and I'm expecting [the demand] to increase," said Shannon.
Mayor Brian Saunderson also took part in the video conference and reiterated the stay-home messaging.
“The message I’ve been putting out there is whether you’re full-time or part-time, pick a residence and stay there,” said Saunderson. “We want you to respect that messaging because it’s a matter of public safety and public health. We know people are dying. The way to flatten the curve is to respect that.”
Saunderson noted there have been travel restrictions in other provinces, and said now is the time for more enforcement.
However, the town does not currently have any bylaws that would give police or bylaw staff the authority to turn people away if, for instance, their drivers’ licence showed an out-of-town postal code.
“My understanding is that it would need to come from the province,” said Saunderson. “There needs to be steps taken provincially to enable those types of road checks to be put in place.”
He said he thought the matter might come up at the council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 20.
Insp. Shannon confirmed such an order would have to come from a provincial level.
“Barring any local bylaw, we have no authority at this time to prohibit people from coming into the community,” she said.
Collingwood Fire Chief Ross Parr also joined the virtual press conference. He is the town’s emergency management coordinator and said there are provisions in the town’s emergency plan for passing bylaws the town wouldn’t normally have in place, but currently the town has not declared a state of emergency.
“We haven’t declared, nor do we feel we have to declare,” said Parr, who added the town’s senior management team has a daily meeting each morning to keep up-to-date on all departments and discuss whether further emergency measures are needed.
