Open this photo in gallery Bicycle police officers keep an eye on Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Police still have not released a tally of how many tickets were issued on Saturday related to physical distancing, but say the focus is still on educating the public. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Officials in Toronto say a popular city park is much less crowded and under control after thousands of people gathered and broke COVID-19 physical distancing rules on Saturday.
Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders said public drinking was a large part of the problem at Trinity Bellwoods Park and it would not be tolerated moving forward.
He said people showed a sense of “entitlement” when they were urinating and defecating in alleyways and near homes in the area.
Police still have not released a tally of how many tickets were issued on Saturday related to physical distancing, but say the focus is still on educating the public.
City spokesperson Brad Ross implored people to take advantage of Toronto’s 1,500 parks, rather than crowding at one.
He also said people have to plan ahead if they know facilities like washrooms are still closed.
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khendron on May 24th, 2020 at 15:40 UTC »
Maybe they should mark the parks like this.
thinkcritical on May 24th, 2020 at 15:12 UTC »
There's nothing wrong with going to the park, but at Lafontaine Park in Montreal, from what I've seen most people are at least making an effort to sit in circles while still keeping their distance. In the pics I've seen from Trinity Bellwoods it looks like most are not even trying.
Drag0n87 on May 24th, 2020 at 14:14 UTC »
A lot at this point are saying fuck it.