Nanaimo RCMP have issued fines under the COVID Related Measures Act to 11 teenagers who refused to disperse after they were found at a gathering.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, police say they found a large group of young people and their vehicles gathering in the parking lot of Dover Bay Secondary School on Saturday, December 19.
Police say one attending officer spoke to the youth, informed them of why it is risky to gather, and then told them to disperse.
The officer returned to the area a short time later, at around 11:45 p.m., only to find even more people and vehicles gathered at the parking lot.
The police statement says many of them were seen walking around without masks and going back and forth between vehicles to talk to their friends.
“Given their lack of regard after being told to disperse, the officer elected to issue each with a violation ticket in hopes that the behaviour would not continue throughout the Holiday Season,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien in a statement.
In total, 11 teenagers were issued fines of $230 each.
Police say they were all respectful, apologetic, and understanding of why they were being fined.
