The Belleville Police Service continues to actively monitor the reports of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and considering how COVID-19 will affect our community and our organization.
In collaboration with the Municipality and Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health we are working in harmony with our partner agencies, our City, and our Province to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Our focus is the health, safety, and well-being of our entire community and my staff here at the Belleville Police.
The following information is intended to update the public on the Belleville Police Service’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
•We have been in regular communication with, and used key information from, the City of Belleville and Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit. To date, this has included monitoring the situation and providing updates and guidance to our members. We are also taking other precautions limiting non-essential meetings, events and training. There have been no service disruptions.
•We continue to work on modified non-emergency services. Since Monday March 16, 2020 we have limited the access to the police station. These measures are aimed at protecting all people by minimizing the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus. We are not accepting in person Criminal Record Checks and are only taking those online at www.police.belleville.on.ca All Freedom of Information requests have been suspended at this time as well as our online auctions have been halted.
•We continue to ask the public not to attend the police station unless absolutely necessary. The doors of the Belleville Police Service will remain closed to the public. Staff will be on scene to screen members of the public between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. before access may be permitted; we have individuals answer brief non-intrusive screening questions related to the COVID-19 health risks. Please understand this is for the protection and peace of mind of our staff who will be serving you and other members of the public. Please do not attend police facilities if you are not well. The police service public access will be continued to be closed outside of regular business hours.
•If you telephone the police requesting an officer attend for a non-emergent event, you may be asked additional screening questions related to the COVID-19 health risks before we dispatch an officer. Again, this is for the protection and peace of mind of the public, and our officers.
•You may see members of our service wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks for their own protection.
•Ontario issued new Emergency Orders pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). The Belleville Police Service wants to advise citizens of what the EMCPA is and what the effects are on your daily life. The EMCPA allows the government certain powers in this type of an emergency. An emergency means a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise.
•Because COVID- 19 is easily spread, what has been done?• outdoor recreational amenities (parks) are closed
• sports fields and playgrounds are closed
• Gatherings of over 5 people are banned
• 14-day mandatory quarantine after returning from outside the country (this is federal)
• A provincial fire ban is in effect in Ontario
• Designated non-essential businesses have been required to close or adjust how they conduct business
•In Belleville, Enforcement of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act is being enforced by the Health Unit, City of Belleville By-Law Enforcement and the Belleville Police Service. We have recently seen an increase in our calls from some members of the public about violations of these orders.
•The Belleville Police Service has been taking a tiered approach to enforcement with a focus on education and warnings concerning the prohibitions in place. As we progress through this difficult time enforcement action may become necessary, and has recently become necessary. This was exampled by a charge that was laid with a gathering of people on April 5. A charge was laid on a person who organized a group gathering and did not heed the direction of police not to make such arrangements and disburse.
