A Halloween house party in Saanich was hit with a fine for violating the province’s rules around private gatherings.
Const. Markus Anastasiades of the Saanich PD told CHEK that officers were called to a few parties last night over concerns about large crowds, including one at a house adjacent to Reynolds Park.
He said approximately 30 people were at the house and that the partygoers weren’t cooperative, resulting in officers issuing the host a $2,300 ticket for violating the province’s COVID-19 rules on large gatherings.
“One house gathering of 30 people did not cooperate,” said Anastasiades, adding. “We subsequently issued the fine of $2,300, the first one we’ve written for the department.”
B.C. recently announced new rules limiting private household gatherings to members of an immediate household, plus six additional people.
Anastasiades explained that the other parties that officers were called to were generally cooperative and most were within their “safe six” limit set out by the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“We were hoping to issue none, but however, everyone was in compliance except one party,” he said.
In addition to house parties, Anastasiades said the department received calls about noise complaints and fireworks.
“We responded to several noise complaints and this year a lot of complaints about fireworks going off all over Saanich. Certainly not unusual, but I think we had more fireworks calls than years past, but I’m happy to report, no injuries or nothing else resulting from the fireworks,” he said.
CHEK News
