Toronto Police officers say they will be patrolling South Etobicoke parks this long weekend to prevent large gatherings, boozy bonfires and careless fireworks.

This is a busy time for officers of 22 and 11 Divisions as they field complaints of large crowds, no masks or social distancing, large fires, many people drinking alcohol and the careless use of fireworks on Victoria Day.

Officers of 22 Division say people face large fines if caught in large groups. Police teams will be visiting local parks; including those at Humber Bay Shores, Col. Samuel Smith, Marie Curtis and others, which at certain times will have their parking lots shut.

City agencies including police, fire, parking and bylaw have effected “full force” enforcement in the past in response to thousands ignoring COVID-19 and flocking to lakefront beaches in Etobicoke and the city’s east end to illegally light bonfires and fireworks, drink alcohol and not social distance.

According to the City, residents setting off fireworks with members of their households on their own private property, can do so without a permit on Victoria Day and Canada Day.

A permit is needed from Toronto Fire Services to set off fireworks on all other days. However, these permit applications are not being accepted at this time due to the Province’s Stay-At-Home order.

Dedicated police teams in the last month have responded to at least 1,000 calls of people gathering indoors and outdoors, as the provincial stay-at-home order is still in effect.

The force on April 22 implemented 16 enforcement teams to respond to reports of large gatherings, which are currently prohibited.

“Our dedicated teams are attending more than 300 calls a week, a stark number which sadly doesn’t seem to be dropping despite repeated calls for people not to socialize,” Staff Superintendent Randy Carter said.

Police said the fines for individual organizers of events who violate gathering rules range from $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000, including one year in jail. Fines for those attending can range from $750 to $100,000 including up to one year in jail.