Toronto Police say they will be out in full force this weekend to enforce bylaws that ban bonfires being lit on our lakefront parks by unruly visitors.

Police say dozens of residents, many who are drinking alcohol, are lighting the illegal fires along our lakeside parks, which stretches from Humber Bay Park Shores to Col. Samuel Smith and west to Marie Cutis Park.

Some of the fires are left burning all night or can spread, police say.
Insp. Timothy Crone and a few of his officers on July 6 were able to visit some of the hotspots where they say “fires and disorderly behaviors are being displayed by unruly visitors.”

“Residents may not see our officers at their front window,” police say. “We are out there every day including weekend, patrolling on bike, car and on foot.”

Police say they are out there on most days with officials with Municipal Licensing Standards, Parking Enforcement educating, ticketing visitors and occasionally putting out a simmering fire with their water bottle.

They are seeking for the City to change its entry policy, where visitors are expected to pay the vehicle parking fee at the main gate for parking to not allow any cars once the allotted parking spaces are full.

Police also want parking tag and tow officials to help with the enforcement.

Officers say they will be out in full force to enforce No Alcohol, Open Fire, unpermitted tents and park time with extra help from City of Toronto, Toronto Fire and other bodies.

A number of residents have taken to social media to complain as to why police were conducting their checks in broad daylight, when the fires and rowdies come out later at night.