Reports of Easter gathering under investigation by police, health unit

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Algoma Public Health are investigating a potential gathering that took place sometime around Easter weekend. 

Few details are being released. 

“I can tell you that we’re actively investigating with Algoma Public Health,” said police spokesperson Lincoln Louttit. “I know people would like to hear more information, but at this time, we don’t have any more information.”

“We’re investigating. We want to make sure we do it thoroughly and that we’re able to protect the integrity of the investigation – and that’s what we’re trying to do at this point.”

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has responded to 350 calls for potential violations of provincial COVID-19 orders since March 2020, resulting in 12 tickets, 19 people warned, and 250 people 'educated'. Algoma Public Health and the police service also attended a number of businesses around Christmas to remind them about COVID-related restrictions. 

Louttit says that a lot of the calls to police related to COVID-19 infractions have been unfounded.

“The majority of the calls that we get are based on gatherings, because that’s where people’s focus is mainly on – that’s the thing that they can control the most, who they’re around, how many people are at their home,” said Louttit. “We’ve had a few calls for businesses, I believe, when it comes to potential violations there, but Algoma Public Health has also responded to those.”

“But definitely, it’s fair to say that the majority of those have been as a result of people concerned about gathering limits.”

Algoma Public Health wouldn’t offer any details when asked about a potential gathering.  

“Where there is evidence of a breach in legislation related to COVID-19, the public health team works with law enforcement partners, who may conduct further investigation,” said Jon Bouma, manager of infectious diseases for the health unit, in an email to SooToday late last week. 

In January, the health unit issued a release warning the public of potential high-risk exposure at a New Year’s Eve party in Garden River First Nation. The address of the home that played host to the party was made public by Algoma Public Health in that release.   

“In general, we do not comment further on individual cases, or issue potentially identifying details, in order to protect the confidentiality of health information. We directly notify close contacts of their risk, and provide public health guidance and direction,” said Bouma via email. “The exception to this is when there is an exposure risk to the public, and/or our public health team is unable to directly notify at-risk people.”

“In these circumstances, the harms of exposure lead to public notification by the health unit.”

Although Anishinabek Police Service identified two people charged in the Garden River First Nation incident, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service says it doesn't identify people charged with COVID-related infractions unless they’re also facing criminal charges. 

“There’s increased anxiety in the community based on the emergency orders and what they’re allowed to do, what they’re not allowed to do. We understand people want to be able to socialize with friends and family, and it’s difficult to do during this time – and with that heightened anxiety, we don’t feel it’s prudent to be releasing the names of individuals,” said Louttit. “We’re doing our best to enforce these restrictions. At the same time, officers are showing some discretion when it comes to issuing these fines as they would with any criminal offence, and our number one goal is public safety, and we feel we’re not releasing those names in the best interest of public safety.”

Louttit says a lot of the calls to police related to potential COVID-19 infractions have been unfounded.  

“Social media has a way of blowing these situations up and out of proportion,” Louttit said.