Regional chair respects NRP’s judgment not to stop motorists
Late Saturday afternoon the government announced it had backpedalled on its plans
A decision made by Niagara Regional Police to not use power given to them by the province to pull over motorists and ask them where they are headed as part of new restrictions in the current stay-at-home order isn’t something for elected officials to get involved with, says Niagara Region Chair Jim Bradley.
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops,” said a press release issued by the NRP, adding enforcement will be “complaint-driven or proactive, with the goal of gaining compliance.”
On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford gave police agencies the authority to randomly stop motorists and ask them for identification and why they are out and about. People who fail to comply face $750 fines.
The measures come as the province is setting daily records in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, a trend expected to continue for at least two more weeks, with swamped intensive care units bracing to be overwhelmed.
The NRP is one of about 30 police agencies in Ontario that issued statements saying they would not be conducting random checks on motorists.
“Elected officials don’t give police instruction on how they should carry out their operations,” said Bradley.
“I respect the judgment of the Niagara Regional Police in this regard,” he added.
Late Saturday afternoon, the government announced it had backpedalled on its plans.
Police officers and other provincial offences officers still have the authority to conduct those checks, but only
if they have “reason” to believe the current stay-at-home order has been breached, the government said.
Late Saturday afternoon, Ontario’s solicitor general put out a statement to clarify the authority given to enforcement officers when conducting inspections and investigations into potential violations of public health measures restricting gatherings and crowds.
“If a police officer or other provincial offences officer has reason to suspect that you are participating in an organized public event or social gathering, they may require you to provide information to ensure you are complying with restrictions,” the statement said.
“Every individual who is required to provide a police officer or other provincial offences officer with information shall promptly comply.”
Bradley said he understands why the province has resorted to increasing restrictions.
“They’re in desperate circumstances. The variant is spreading extremely quickly. The province is looking for any measure it can to deal with this matter,” said the chair.
Bradley also said he expects police will follow up on complaints and take action when necessary.
The solicitor general has recommended a “more aggressive” approach to enforcement, he said.
“There’s an understanding that the education phase is over,” said Bradley, adding it appears we are now entering an “enforcement stage,” using fines handed out following the anti-lockdown rally in St. Catharines as an example.
He also expects police will issue fines from Saturday’s event in Niagara Falls, but said police “have to use their judgment with the best way to deal with it.”