Kelowna businesses can rely on local Mounties for support as the province含羞草研究社檚 proof of vaccination program rolls out, says the detachment含羞草研究社檚 top cop.

In an update on Monday, Sept. 13, Supt. Kara Triance outlined what the summer looked like for her officers, how current investigations are going, as well as the challenges officers faced, particularly when it came to anti-vaccine protests, and more recently, the massive protest that took place at Kelowna General Hospital earlier this month.

含羞草研究社淜elowna RCMP are extremely disappointed and concerned with many that continue to put themselves at risk by refusing to follow the public health orders,含羞草研究社� she said.

含羞草研究社淎s we move forward into the fall and today, marking the day of the new vaccine passports which have been adopted in B.C., is hopefully a mark forward where we can start to see vaccine rates increasing in our community.

含羞草研究社淲e the police continue to respond to multiple protests a week. We know that there含羞草研究社檚 a Charter-protected right for peaceful protest. However, this does not interfere with other people含羞草研究社檚 right to health and safety within our community.含羞草研究社�

She said that with the new vaccine card required for entry into many non-essential businesses, the RCMP will continue to do what they have been doing to enforce it and other public health directives to curb COVID-19.

含羞草研究社淔or those who continue to flaunt the current health directions, the newly initiated vaccine passport or any of the current health orders, we will continue to use all of our powers to address this through community safety,含羞草研究社� she said.

含羞草研究社淭his includes our Criminal Code authorities for fraud, assault, mischief, cause disturbance or uttering threats.含羞草研究社�

Police officers can also fine those who violate public health orders, which Triance said they will continue to do. To date, the local detachment has handed out close to $10,000 in fines to protesters and organizers.

She said with the calls they含羞草研究社檝e been receiving for public health-related issues, they含羞草研究社檙e not expecting a severe spike in calls regarding the vaccine card, but it含羞草研究社檚 something they will have to monitor weekly.

Businesses that feel they can含羞草研究社檛 operate due to the disturbances caused by anti-vaccine crowds or feel threatened are encouraged to call the RCMP.

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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