WRPS COVID Response Team handled 465 incidents since late April, doled out 125 charges
A specialized team launched by Waterloo regional police to handle COVID-19 compliance amid the third wave dealt with 465 occurrences since late April.
Chief Bryan Larkin says the COVID Integrated Response Team (CIRT) was formed in response to both pandemic fatigue and a changing social climate surrounding adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
CIRT launched in late April and operated through mid-June with the mandate of working cooperatively with regional enforcement to respond to complaints and violations under the Reopening Ontario Act and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Speaking at a police services board meeting, Larkin said the team handed 465 occurrences and laid 125 charges related to pandemic restriction violations.
On any given day, the team conducted between 10 and 12 proactive inspections at places like malls, retail spaces and outdoor gathering spaces.
The team racked up $13,000 in overtime costs for the 21 CIRT officers, but the expense came from the existing overtime budget, Larkin said.
Most of the overtime was attributed to anti-lockdown rallies and gathering enforcement.
ROAD SAFETY UPDATE
Officials provided a road safety update at Wednesday's police service board meeting.
Year-to-date, there have been six fatal collision in the region, resulting in seven deaths.
In June, officers laid 64 impaired driving charges.
In July, the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act came into effect across the province to crack down on street racing, stunt driving and aggressive and unsafe driving.
Waterloo regional police have laid six charges under the new act, known as the MOMS Act.
More than 3,600 speeding charges and 76 stunt driving charges have been laid since April.
MODIFIED VEHICLE CHARGES
Since April, 20 charges have been laid under the Environmental Protection Act related to emissions controls, including:
- 55 improper muffler charges
- 72 no muffler charges
- 53 unnecessary noise charges
- 33 improper tire charges
- 10 defective brakes
“In a world where we’re dealing with climate change and a number of significant pieces, we see that vehicles are modified," Larkin said at the board meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.