Greater Sudbury Police say they won’t conduct random stops under Stay-At-Home Order

Greater Sudbury Police say they will not be conducting random person or vehicle stops for the sole purpose of determining where you are going or why you are out of your residence. 

The province has enhanced law enforcement powers as part of the Stay-At-Home Order put in place to deal with surging COVID-19 numbers.

Specifically, the province has given police the authority to require any individual to provide their home address and purpose for not being at their residence, as well as the authority to stop vehicles to inquire about an individual's reasons for leaving their home.

“We will not be conducting random person or vehicle stops for the sole purpose of determining where you are going or why you are out of your residence,” said Greater Sudbury Police in a press release issued Saturday.

“Please note, if you are stopped for a traffic-related reason or a criminal offence, officers will ask for your identification and may make inquiries related to this Emergency Order. 

“If you are stopped for a traffic violation or a criminal offence, you must provide valid identification to the officer upon request, it is the law.”

Greater Sudbury Police said upon reviewing the new authority given to police services, it is the service’s decision to maintain its current proactive and reactive complaint driven education and enforcement model by emphasizing the 4E’s of Engage, Explain, Educate and Enforce. 

“We will continue to engage with community members in order to explain why it is important to follow the restrictions set in place to help flatten the curve,” said the press release.

“We will continue to educate our community members on the new and current regulations in order to gain voluntary compliance and we will enforce the regulations where appropriate for our community’s health and well-being.”

Several other police services in the province have made similar announcements, including Sault Ste. Marie Police.

The Ontario Provincial Police said in a press release that although voluntary compliance is always preferred, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), Re-Opening Ontario Act (ROA) and federal Quarantine Act, there are consequences for individuals who choose to defy the emergency orders that are in force. 

The OPP will be informing the public of charges laid each day on its social media accounts. The public is reminded that individuals who fail to comply with the restrictions can be issued a minimum fine of $750, said the press release.  

Those who obstruct an authority or individual from enforcing or complying with an order can receive a minimum fine of $1,000, and those who host parties or gatherings in violation of the regulations can face a maximum fine of $10,000 on conviction.

The OPP will have members located at interprovincial points of entry by road to screen all vehicles beginning Monday, April 19 at 12:01 a.m. ET/CT-Manitoba time. Those not travelling for essential reasons will be refused entry. There are exceptions for work, medical care, transportation of goods and the exercising of Treaty rights for Indigenous persons.