Homeowners hit with $2,300 fines after police bust two Saanich house parties

Homeowners hit with $2,300 fines after police bust two Saanich house parties
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While many Saanich residents are following public health orders, some still aren’t getting the message about having house parties, according to police.

Officers issued two hefty fines over the weekend to people found to be breaking B.C.’s indoor gathering restrictions.

They were called to two homes, one on Friday and one early Saturday morning, for noise complaints.

“It was discovered that in both cases there were gatherings of people inside the homes and that the additional people present did not reside there,” Saanich police said in a news release.

One homeowner flat-out told police they were having a party with friends from the neighbourhood. Each homeowner was slapped with a fine of $2,300 for contravening public health orders.

Police say for the most part, Saanich residents have been following the rules.

“However, there are those that continue to choose to not follow these rules. We will investigate reports of those contravening the order and encourage people to call our non-emergency line to make those reports,” police said, adding that it will be important for people to be even more vigilant in light of the province’s new restrictions announced Monday.

Under those rules, there will no longer be indoor dining, indoor group fitness classes or indoor worship services, while non-essential travel will continue to be discouraged.

There are currently no indoor gatherings of any size permitted in B.C., other than immediate households. Outside, up to 10 people from the same COVID-19 bubble can gather as long as safety measures like physical distancing are taken.

To report a noise disturbance or violation of public health orders in Saanich, call the police non-emergency number at 250-475-4321.

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