KAWARTHA LAKES-The Kawartha Lakes Police Service has joined a number of other services across Ontario in announcing they will not be arbitrarily stopping motorists or pedestrians.
Late Friday afternoon the Ontario government announced it was giving police temporary authority to stop residents and question them without cause. Many police services across the province has released statements saying their officers would not be making arbitrary stops including Peterborough Police, Halton Police, Ottawa Police, Guelph Police, Waterloo Police and Toronto Police and more.
Here is the statement from Kawartha Lakes Police Service issued this morning.
“New emergency measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 came into effect on April 17. These new measures are being brought in to curb the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and the resulting strain on our health systems. The new emergency measures include temporary authorities for police to stop individuals to determine if they are in compliance with the Provincial stay-at-home order. We are still reviewing the new legislation, but our enforcement response will remain evidence driven and Kawartha Lakes Police officers will not be arbitrarily stopping pedestrians or motorists. We encourage all residents of Kawartha Lakes to review the new emergency measures and to stay-at-home for all but essential purposes.”
There’s no word from the OPP.
The expanded authority for police came into effect today.
