Despite handing out a massive fine to a Prince George resident for violating B.C. public health regulations on Halloween, the city and RCMP have not had many other experiences.
Spokesperson Michael Kellett says the city has received 129 related COVID-19 calls since mid-March.
The vast majority of those calls happened from mid-March to mid-May.
"Since then we have received relatively few – perhaps one or two per week. For example, since September 1, we have received seven calls," he said.
On Oct. 31, a 51-year-old man was issued a $2,300 fine for violating B.C.'s Public Health Officer's order for gatherings at his home on Regents Crescent.
Just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 31), Prince George RCMP received a report of several people fighting in front of a residence.
Multiple officers attended and found about 50 youth at the South Fort George-area house party, many of which fled the scene once police arrived.
Police add those that stayed were mostly uncooperative, but several were still fighting, including one youth was found in possession of bear spray and another that assaulted a police officer.
A search of the home for public safety found two youths unconscious in the basement and one of them was bleeding from the mouth.
Paramedics were then called to the scene to treat the two very intoxicated youth and both were transported to hospital for possible alcohol poisoning.
Police say charges are still possible in the situation.
"Our priority continues to be community safety during this provincial state of emergency," says Cpl. Craig Douglass, spokesperson for the Prince George RCMP, in a news release.
"For many reasons, events such as this put the safety of those attending at risk. We ask that you don't attend these events, and we ask parents and guardians to prevent your children from attending these events."
PrinceGeorgeMatters since reached out to local RCMP and the city to ask how many other situations fines have been issued.
Cpl. Craig Douglass says calls have been "minimal" and the main reason they ended up at the Halloween incident was that fighting was reported and police further discovered health regulations issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry were being broken.
- with files from Hanna Petersen, PrinceGeorgeMatters
