The City of Penticton will be deploying extra bylaw officers throughout the downtown area during December’s busiest shopping days of Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning Dec. 3.
The additional officers will be in place to handle any violations of new COVID-19 health orders.
Since the new rules were put in place Nov. 19, bylaw officers have already dealt with “five or six” instances of non-compliance, according to Penticton’s bylaw supervisor Tina Siebert.
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Some of these violations have been reported to provincial authorities for further investigation and may result in fines for the individuals involved.
The lowest possible fine for breaking COVID-19 protocols is approximately $500, said Siebert.
If you witness someone breaking protocols Siebert said it best to call bylaw officers who will then decide if RCMP involvement is necessary should the situation escalate. Penticton bylaw services can be reached at 250-490-2440.
The additional bylaw officers will be focusing on COVID-19 provincial health order compliance, as well as parking and traffic enforcement, snow clearance and general community safety.
Siebert hopes bylaw’s increased presence will help take some of the pressure off local business owners and staff to enforce COVID-19 compliance themselves.
“This additional bylaw presence is part of the ‘Love Local Penticton’ campaign to support our downtown retailers and businesses,” said Siebert. “If you see something that doesn’t look or feel right call bylaw or the police depending on what it is.
“Providing a safe environment is important to creating the desired vibrancy in the downtown.”
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jesse.day@pentictonwesternnews.com
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