The Surrey RCMP Compliance and Enforcement Team (CCET) says it has issued nearly $6000 in COVID-19-related fines at an illegal after-hours nightclub in Whalley.
And this isn't the first time the Whalley property has been subject to police investigations.
There have been previous investigations at the illegal nightclub--located in the 10600-block of King George Boulevard--for defying public health orders, and individuals were issued COVID-19 related fines on three prior occasions, explains a news release from the Surrey RCMP.
This weekend the COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team returned to the premises with a search warrant, which was executed shortly after 1 a.m. on Feb. 7.
When police arrived, 22 individuals were inside of the illegal club, which resulted in 26 tickets with fines of $230 issued for attending the non-compliant event, failure to wear a face covering, and belligerent behaviour.
The fines totalled just shy of $6000.
The host of the event was not issued a $2300 fine but was issued a notice to appear in court for hosting a non-compliant event contrary to Section 4(1) of the Emergency Program Act.
Surrey RCMP issues four other violations related to COVID-19
“The Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team will continue to pursue individuals and hosts who contravene the current public health orders,” says Sergeant Tyler Wickware, of the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility; we will conduct enforcement against those whose actions are contrary to the safety of our community.”
Over the weekend, the Surrey RCMP CCET issued four other violations related to COVID-19. On Feb. 6, Officers issued an $1150 fine under the Quarantine Act for a man who did not abide by the conditions of his entry into Canada.
On the same day, Surrey RCMP attended a restaurant in the 7000-block of 138 Street for a report of a public health order violation. When they arrived, officers determined that a wedding was occurring in a private room at the restaurant with at least 20 people in attendance. The owner of the restaurant was issued a ticket with a fine of $2300 for hosting a non-compliant event.
The following day, on Feb. 7, Surrey RCMP attended a residence in the 14800-block of 61 Avenue for a report of a gathering. The property representative was handed a $2300 VT for hosting a non-compliant event.
Residents wishing to report a violation of a public health order can contact the City of Surrey Bylaws Call Centre at 604-591-4370, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., seven days a week or the Surrey RCMP non-emergency line at 604-599-0502.
