Belleville’s deputy police chief says community members here have, for the most part, been following all of the COVID-19 guidelines in place over the last year and a half.
A report to the Police Services Board on Thursday morning showed that BPS have laid 20 charges against people breaking public health protocols, along with 51 warnings.
Deputy Chief Chris Barry says of the 20 charges laid, 12 were against people from outside the area and related to COVID-19 protests, noting that the people of Belleville should be commended for how they’ve followed the rules to this point.
“By and large, this community has been very respectful of the public health measures that have been taken. They’ve been respectful of our officers when they’re trying to enforce those regulations and this community should pat themselves on the back. The majority of the charges laid were against people who are not from this community.”
Information from the BPS shows the charges laid include the following:
- April 5, 2020 – Parking lot gathering (organizer charged)
- December 27, 2020 – House party broken up (home owner charged)
- January 18, 2021 – Criminal charges laid against two men from GTA
- January 20, 2021 – Store owner charged for opening
- January 21, 2021 – Store owner charged for opening (same store as above)
- January 22, 2021 – Store owner charged for opening (same store as above)
- February 6, 2021 – Store owner charged for opening (different store)
- April 16, 2021 – Eight charges laid at protest
- May 8, 2021 – Four charges laid at protest
Deputy Chief Barry says officers also assisted Hastings Prince Edward Public Health officials with 47 compliance checks and various pandemic-related public education campaigns as well.
