Toronto police said they are beginning a new approach to enforcing the stay-at-home order.
Special control teams will be set up in all sixteen divisions, whose primary task will be to respond to large gatherings both inside and outside buildings, outdoors.
The central command is to be responsible for the coordination of police units from individual divisions. Units can be relocated to provide support in other areas as needed.
According to a statement by the police, it is only supposed to control large gatherings that do not respect the emergency order in force. Events held in short-term rental facilities, bars or restaurants are to be especially watched over by the police.
The new police departments start work at 5 p.m. on April 22.
Police recently refused to comply with the Ontario ruling that said it had to stop and control cars and interview the driver’s desirability to find out if it is really necessary – “essential travel”. This ordinance quickly discredited Prime Minister Ford, because almost immediately after the announcement of the new restrictions, police representatives in several Ontario cities openly stated that they would not comply with them.
What can we expect from the police this time?
The police assured that they would not carry out random detentions or inspections of both people and cars. According to the information provided by the police, it appears that they will not ask individuals why they are away from their place of residence and why they do not comply with the order in force. The police will not require employees to carry letters from employers stating that they are traveling to or from work. Police said the checks would not include vulnerable people in encampments nor homeless people.
Police also said that they would not enter homes for the sole purpose of checking compliance with the stay-at-home order.
However, police officers will be allowed to enter the property, if they have reliable grounds to believe that the residents are violating the rules and, for example, behave loudly, e.g. during a loud party. Each time officers will be able to assess how to react in a given situation. In the event of a clear violation of the regulations, they will issue fines and summons to individuals and companies.
If someone refuses to identify themselves to be issued a ticket or summon, the police will be able to detain such person and, in some cases, charge them with obstruction of the police.
The Ontario stay-at-home order, which legally allows people to leave their home for an essential reason only, is valid until at least May 20.