Four parties net $7,000 in COVID penalties

Vancouver police issued just over $7,000 in fines at four different parties over the weekend that were held despite current COVID-19 health orders. On Friday evening, a parent contacted police to say her teen daughter and other young girls were at a Downtown Vancouver party where there were adults and suspected drug use.

Police arrived at a condo and found 16 people partying in one residential unit. The party was shut down and a $2,300 ticket was issued to the unit resident while the teen girls were released to a guardian.

The following evening, two police officers who were responding to an unrelated call found a limousine that had broken down on Stanley Park Drive.

After questioning the occupants, police found that a group of six friends — of which only two lived together in a household bubble — had been partying. The limousine driver was also found not to have the right driver's licence or permit to operate a limo and he was fined $2,300.

Also on Saturday evening, police shut down two house parties in two different condos in Downtown Vancouver.

At the first party, there were eight to 10 people celebrating a birthday. All were apologetic and remorseful, but the owner was fined $230. At the second party, police faced with a larger group of people who were “highly intoxicated, hostile individuals.” The owner of the property was fined $2,300.

Under current B.C. health orders, social gatherings aren't permitted with anyone outside of the household bubble. The orders were implemented to cut down on the transmission of COVID-19.