POLICE – ‘Uncooperative’ card game host is dealt a hand of hefty fines

A homeowner may have been winning in his game of cards but definitely lost his ante after being fined more than $3,000 for hosting a non-COVID-19 compliant game.

At about 1 a.m. today (Nov. 20, 2020), Kamloops RCMP went to a home in the 1800-block of Hugh Allan Drive to investigate a report of an illegal gambling event.

Upon arrival police officers found “a very uncooperative” homeowner who was hosting a card game around a table with nine others who did not live in the home.

Police said that, contrary to COVID-19 restrictions of “no guests in your home,” the participants were not social distanced, not wearing masks, and no sanitation stations were available.

During the investigation the 37-year-old homeowner was allegedly very uncooperative and was subsequently arrested for obstructing the police officers. He was released after the card players dispersed and was issued several fines under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (CRMA):

Section 2(2) – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Contravention of Gatherings and Events Order ($2,300).

Section 5 – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Failure to comply with direction from enforcement officer ($230).

Section 4 – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Promoting or encouraging attendance at non-compliant gathering or event ($230).

Section 6(1) – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Abusive or belligerent behaviour ($230).

“It is disheartening when our police officers have to attend such gatherings putting themselves at risk of catching COVID-19 and bringing it home to their families when it can be avoided,” said Supt. Syd Lecky.

“The uncooperative nature of the homeowner just makes this even more troublesome. Our priority is to educate people to change their behaviour for the safety of everyone.”