BarrieToday received the following letter from Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood on slowing the spread of COVID-19 during the long weekend and beyond.
Dear residents of Barrie,
With the long weekend approaching, we know that this holiday will be very different to previous years. As with every holiday, our officers will continue to serve our community, responding to emergencies and calls for service at all hours. While we won’t be able to have large family gatherings, we can still stay in touch over digital screens and phone lines, rather than in person. It will be different, but it doesn’t have to be any less meaningful.
It is more important than ever to remember that we can all help to slow the spread of COVID-19 by staying home and practising good hand hygiene. Although most people are following the orders to stay home and not gather in groups greater than five, there are some who are not adhering to these orders. If you have concerns over individuals not following COVID Emergency Orders, we encourage you to call the Enforcement Line at 705-739-4241 or by email at
[email protected].
The Enforcement Line is a partnership between the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the City of Barrie Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and the Barrie Police Service to effectively address all concerns. Issues are handled on a priority basis, with the most urgent calls or those that require police presence being addressed first. Police and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers are providing members of our city education and awareness.
The majority of people we have dealt with have been more than willing to comply when advised of the new legislation. Police do have the ability to issue a fine of $750 to $100,000 for non-compliance and we are not taking this authority lightly. We recognize that voluntary compliance is preferable; however, fines will be issued if necessary. I encourage everyone to continue to keep informed on the Emergency Orders and follow them. This will help keep everyone safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Our service has adjusted to assist protecting the health of our members, and the public. I can assure you that as always, those in the City of Barrie can depend on the Barrie Police Services during this challenging time. We have redeployed resources, adjusted shift schedules and implemented screening processes of our members and the public we interact with to ensure continuity of policing services.
With numerous businesses closed, unfortunately some individuals are taking advantage and commit crimes of opportunity. Our officers are continuing to deal with those involved, conducting thorough and complete investigations.
If you do have to engage in essential travel outside of your home this weekend, please be sure to practice physical distancing, and good hand hygiene.
On behalf of the Barrie Police Service, we thank all those who continue to work at essential businesses to ensure our community has access to those essential items.
If you have an emergency, never hesitate to call 911. If you have an enforcement concern, please call or email the Enforcement Line and it will be addressed by the partner agencies working together. For other non-emergency occurrences, call our non-emergency line at 705-725-7025. Some non-emergency occurrences can also be reported on our website www.barriepolice.ca.
COVID-19 pandemic means unprecedented changes to our daily lives. Whether it is calling to check on a self-isolating friend, picking up groceries for an elderly neighbour, or just staying home, the efforts we are collectively undertaking will
undoubtedly have an impact on the trajectory of this pandemic. Be safe, Be healthy, we are all in this together.
Kimberley Greenwood
Chief of Police
