Police break up Scarborough house party as Toronto reports 129 new COVID-19 cases
Police issued fines of $880 to 14 people, one officer says
Toronto police say officers broke up a house party in Scarborough on Tuesday, issuing fines to 14 people for violating a provincial emergency order.
Const. Caroline de Kloet, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said police received reports about a noisy party going on in the Kingston Road and St. Clair Avenue East area.
There were about 50 people there, she said.
In the end, police issued 14 provincial offences charges under the Reopening Ontario Act. The offence is failure to comply with a continued section order.
Toronto police Const. Randall Arsenault tweeted that 14 people were fined $880 in connection with the Scarborough incident.
14 people were fined $880 each last night in Scarborough under the Reopening Ontario Act. Blatant disregard of rules meant to protect us all. Large crowds of 40-50 people. House parties, please keep them under control. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toronto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ontario?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ontario</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScarbTO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ScarbTO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Scarborough?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Scarborough</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeSafe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeSafe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/XXymS5bcZk">pic.twitter.com/XXymS5bcZk</a>
—@PCArsenaultThe news comes as city officials said on Wednesday that enforcement of provincial orders needs to be stepped up to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Province implementing new fines, premier says
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last week that the province is implementing new fines for people who host and attend large gatherings during the pandemic.
The premier said the province is instituting a minimum fine of $10,000 for the organizers of illegal social gatherings, as well as a $750 fine for people who attend them.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city's medical officer of health, reported on Wednesday that Toronto has 129 new cases.
The number brings the city's cumulative total to 17,971. A total of 15,526 people have recovered from the virus, she said.
A total of 1,178 people have died of COVID-19 in Toronto. Forty people are in hospital.