A team of Toronto Police officers from 22 Division and 15 other Divisions are targeting those attending large gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The officers have been busy and in the first five days laying more than 160 Emergency Management and Civil Protection (EMCPA) charges.

The teams, from all 16 police divisions, were assembled on April 22 as part of a plan to support the latest provincial Stay-At-Home orders to slow the spread of the virus.

Toronto Police statistics show that officers attended more than 210 gatherings in response to calls from the public about noisy parties and gatherings, with more than half of the gatherings held indoors.
In addition to the EMCPA charges, officers laid eight criminal charges for offences including obstructing a police officer and assault.

Police said most calls occurred in the downtown including one at a condo in the King Street West and Portland Street area, where they were met with a large number of people inside the property. Ten of the occupants did not live at the address. The homeowner and ten guests were all charged under the EMCPA.
“At a time when positive case counts continue to rise and hospital ICU admissions are at their highest, it’s extremely disappointing to see people having parties and gatherings and putting themselves, their families, healthcare workers and First Responders at increased risk,” said Chief James Ramer.
He said his officers are working with Toronto Public Health and the City’s Bylaw enforcement officers at the Municipal Licensing and Standards Unit.

The Ontario government on April 16 announced additional restrictions and a two-week extension of the provincial lockdown and stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the virus.

The order requires people to remain at home except for specified purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, health care services, outdoor exercise, or work that cannot be done remotely.

Ramer warned earlier there is no change to police powers and Toronto Police will not be conducting random stops of people or cars.
Staff Supt. Randy Carter said his teams will focus on large gatherings that fail to comply with the emergency orders, with a particular focus on indoor gatherings such as parties at short-term rentals or at bars and restaurants.

“Everyone must do their part to protect our health and safety, and for police that means continuing to enforce equitably and effectively,” Carter said.
The provincial stay- at-home order is supposed to end around May 8.