This weekend Vancouver police ended a house party while handing out tickets like party favours.
Early on Sunday (May 23) morning, around 1 a.m., police received reports of a loud party at a residence in a suite at 1200 West Georgia Street (at the intersection with Bute Street). When they got there officers knocked on the door several times, according to a police press release, and spoke with the resident via phone.
But no one would open up.
Police ended up getting a search warrant, allowing the police to legally enter the suite. Inside they found the resident and 16 guests.
“The host of the party was issued a $2,300 violation ticket for hosting a non-compliant event. The other 16 party attendees were issued a $575 fine each for attending a non-compliant event,” says Cst. Tania Visintin in a press release. “Additionally, four speakers, a turntable and various cables were seized as evidence.”
In total that adds up to $11,500 in fines.
The tickets were issued under the Emergency Program Act – Protective Measures Covid-19 Order, which has been in place for months to help stem the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“We have made it very clear that we will not tolerate incidents were people deliberately contravene the public health orders set out by the Province,” says Visintin. “When someone blatantly ignores the law and puts others at risk of contracting COVID-19, we will use our legal avenues to hold them accountable.”
