A Toronto Officer Was Punched In The Face While Handing Out A Social Distancing Ticket

Punching an officer is never a good way to get out of a ticket, a Toronto man learned on Friday. A 45-year-old man allegedly attacked a Toronto by-law officer who was attempting to give him a social distancing ticket. The suspect fled, but was later located and arrested later that same day, and is now facing three charges. The incident occurred on Friday, April 17, at around 1:50 p.m. in the area of Mornelle Court and Ellesmere Road, says the news release. Two men were approached by the by-law officer who was about to give them tickets."One of the men yelled at the by-law officer and punched him in the face with a cell phone," the Toronto Police news release states. Both men fled northbound, but the attacker was located and taken into custody soon after.

His charges include assault of a peace officer, use of a weapon, and breach of recognizance, Sec. 811.He also received three tickets for smoking, drinking and trespassing-related offences, according to the news release.Although the officer sustained minor injuries, they were treated at the scene and did not need further medical assistance. John Tory personally posted about the arrest on Twitter. The mayor has been vocal about his frustration with people who are not physically distancing. 

"Thank you to @TorontoPolice for arresting the man accused of assaulting a bylaw officer in a park," he wrote in the tweet. 

Toronto residents have been warned that there will be an amped-up police presence in the city to make sure people are following physical distancing rules.Toronto parks, in particular, are hotspots where police will be patrolling. 

Although a lot of people got off with warnings in the early stages of the patrol, crazy high fines have already been issued around the GTA. A group of Bramptonians were given tickets of $880 each for organizing a game of cricket in the park. In Oakville, a family of four was fined for rollerblading in an empty parking lot after allegedly asking the officer "Who are we hurting?"

One of the heftier tickets that have been given out so far may have been to a man who hosted a backyard party in Brampton. The maximum fine could be up to $100,000.