Police, bylaw stepping up enforcement at Ottawa's beaches, parks
On the first weekend of Ottawa’s reopening one of the city’s jewels is closing early.
"People want to be outside, people want to see their friends, I get that but we still need to take some basic precautions," River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington said.
At Brockington’s request, the city is closing Mooney's Bay at 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday for the next two weekends, in response to several weeks of incidents at the park.
"This pavilion has been very popular, it’s been like competing DJs setting up and large groups of people who are dancing and enjoying the music and, of course, that’s a bit of an issue with so many people gathering in close proximity," Brockington said.
In a letter to the city, Brockington added there have been a number of cases of people openly drinking and smoking in the park and ignoring other bylaws.
Now Ottawa police and Bylaw Services will maintain a constant presence in the park.
"It’s not the fact that people are meeting here, it’s basically all the activities that are associated with that that are a concern. So, again, Bylaw will be here in the evening, police will be here in the evening to reinforce that message," Brockington said.
Some DJs who perform in the park on weekends say despite the sometimes large crowds they can draw - and social media advertisements - they’re not encouraging anyone to break public health orders.
"We didn’t invite a lot of people but we’re not stopping anybody who wants to come dance," said Abiodun Temi Ambrose, who goes by DJ Dr. Tee.
Ambrose and fellow DJ Dylon Aldrich, also known as DJ Kobi, perform most weekends at the beach.
Aldrich says he received an $880 fine from bylaw for his performances, but still plans to be back this weekend.
"I like going to the beach, playing my tracks, making people dance, it’s kind of my thing and for me, I leave at 10 because I don’t want to get in trouble," Aldrich said.
Still, they’re not flouting the rules. They say with the increased presence of bylaw and police, their performances could change.
"Another thing we’re going to try to different now is try to tell people that are coming when we’re doing to space out. If they’re not with a couple they should wear a mask, try to give us room to dance," Ambrose said.
Some beachgoers say the new closing time won’t have an impact on them, but its unfortunate the city has had to take action.
"It bothers me a little more since they’re not really caring about the consequences it can have for other people. Maybe some people like to come here a little later but their actions are causing them to change their plans and everything," Sofia Sandoval said.
Others are doubtful the increased enforcement will have an impact.
"I really don’t think it’s going to stop anything at all, I really think people are just going to do what they want," countered Courtney Lecompte.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.