Barrie police responded to a large crowd of kids near a south-end high school today who were breaking the province’s rules on gathering sizes to watch a fight.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m., Thursday, at a Little Avenue plaza near Innisdale Secondary School.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday no charges were laid — either for the fight or the gathering size — as the crowd “dispersed upon (police) arrival... rather quickly.”
“The person who called it in to us was on the line when police arrived and she was heard saying that a police car had arrived and that the kids were running off,” Leon said.
The caller said there were approximately 100 kids standing around watching a fight when the call was made.
While fighting is obviously something police would look into, so is breaking physical-distancing rules, Leon said.
“We’re seeing high numbers of positive COVID cases and the government has said they want action on offenders," he said. "If we catch people breaking the rules, they will be fined. We also will not condone physical altercations.”
In mid-September, the provincial government reduced its rules on gathering sizes, including 10 people for indoor events (which is down from the previous limit of 50) and 25 people at outdoor events (down from 100).
People contravening the provincial rules can face hefty fines. According to the Reopening Ontario Act, an organizer of an outdoor event with more than 25 attendees can be fined up to $10,000. The fine for not wearing a mask while not socially distancing is $750, with a victim-of-crime surcharge of $125 added on.
