**** HRP Media Release
Police provide overview of response to weekend illegal gatherings
Halifax Regional Police are providing an overview of the police
response to two illegal gatherings held this weekend in Halifax.
Significant police resources were tied up in response to two illegal gatherings on Saturday, one on Citadel Hill where approximately 50 people were in attendance, and another in the area of Inglis Street and Tower Road, where approximately 200 vehicles with over 500 people, were involved. A total of six arrests were made and 28 summary offence tickets were issued for offences under the Health Protection Act, Emergency Management Act and Motor Vehicle Act.
Police had reached out to the organizers of both events in advance to make them aware of the current public health restrictions, including, a recent court order issued on Friday. Given the serious circumstances we are currently facing with the pandemic, officers took the difficult but necessary actions to protect the community at large.
•In relation to the protest on Citadel Hill, where approximately 50 members of the public were in attendance, police arrested five people who were subsequently issued summary offence tickets and released. Officers issued 11 summary offence tickets – nine for offences under the Health Protection Act and two for offences under the Emergency Management Act.
•In relation to the protest in the area of Inglis Street and Tower Road where over 500 people were in attendance, police arrested one person who was subsequently issued multiple summary offence tickets for offences under the Health Protection Act, Emergency Management Act and Motor Vehicle Act and released. A total of 17 summary offence tickets were issued. Nine of these were for offences under the Health Protection Act, two for offences under the Emergency Management Act and six for offences under the Motor Vehicle Act.
HRP is reminding everyone to follow the current public health measures related to the COVID-19 emergency. We strongly advise members of the public to continue to educate themselves on these public health directives and COVID-19 enforcement measures, including those related to illegal gatherings and associated fines, at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/. Enforcement of these restrictions remains a critical part of the overall strategy to curb the pandemic. We all must follow the rules and do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
