Hamilton house parties hit with pandemic charges

Hamilton bylaw officers and police have issued more than 450 COVID-related tickets throughout the pandemic, with as many as 18 tied to house parties.

Paul Johnson, director of Hamilton's Emergency Operations Centre, said at the beginning of the pandemic, bylaw officers were focused on educating locals about the new rules, but they've since slowly ramped up" enforcement. Education is still ongoing, and officers have discretion on whether they issue a ticket, but people should know the long-standing rules by now, he said.

The city says bylaw officers have issued a total of 28 tickets to people breaking the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act's ban on gathering of more than five people. Of those, 18 were for gatherings at residences, including house parties.

While the rules are the rules, Johnson does have empathy for those stuck inside.

We are seeing the strain on people (who are isolated)," Johnson said, noting Hamiltonians are missing out on celebrating milestones like birthdays. The strain ... of not being able to celebrate those moments (is tough) - it's important to remember that."

He noted some of the tickets were issued after people called the city to complain about surreptitious gatherings and parties.

You better know your neighbours really well," he joked.

A city spokesperson was unable to confirm how many people were in attendance at the parties/gatherings.

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Two types of charges

The COVID-related tickets are split into two groups: EMCPA and city bylaws.

Both city bylaw officers and police have the power to enforce orders issued under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). Infractions include operating a non-essential business, using prohibited amenities and gathering in groups of more than five people. Charges under the act have been issued since March 17, when the province declared a state of emergency.

EMCPA charges come with a $750 fine for individuals and fines up to $500,000 for corporations.

To date, the city has issued 170 EMCPA charges, including 114 for using prohibited amenities and 11 for operating a non-essential business. Police have issued 38 EMCPA charges.

City bylaw officers are also issuing enforcing city bylaws, handing out COVID-related tickets to those who go to parks - or waterfalls - that are closed, those who buy or sell fireworks and those who don't practice physical distancing.

In May, the city banned the use and sale of fireworks until at least July 4. In early April, the city enacted its own physical distancing bylaw. Tickets for both come with a $500 fine. Parks infraction fines are $75.

To date, the city has issued at least 246 tickets to people for bylaw infractions related to parks, fireworks and physical distancing. Of those, 26 were for physical distancing and one was fireworks-related.

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Waterfalls are still hot spots

The remainder were issued to people in places they shouldn't be - mainly, near waterfalls.

Our focus is really is on hot spot areas where people have continued to ignore the signs and the information about not being there," Johnson said, noting area signs clearly tell people the waterfalls are closed.

Johnson said decent number" of tickets have been issued to people from out of town. He didn't know the exact number but said it's higher than one or two.

He understands why outsiders might be flouting the rules.

For years, people have been encouraged to come to Hamilton," Johnson said. Some are coming ... (saying) I've made the trip now so I might as well keep looking at the falls.'"

Excluding waterfall-related tickets, the total number of bylaw tickets would be much lower, he said.

Of the 246 tickets, 65 per cent were issued in Ward 6, which includes Albion Falls, and 28 per cent were issued in Ward 14, which includes Chedoke Falls.

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CORRECTION: The article has been updated June 6 to correct the location of Chedoke Falls.

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com