Toronto police to patrol immunization sites as vaccinations for kids aged 5 to 11 ramp up
Toronto police say charges could be laid against those who will cause trouble at immunization sites in the city that could hinder families from getting their children their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
In a tweet Friday evening, police said officers will be deployed near clinics and will patrol over the coming days.
"Their safety is of utmost importance and interference, or obstruction will not be tolerated. Charges will be laid if warranted," police tweeted.
Const. David Hopkinson told CP24 Friday that the directive came from interim Police Chief James Ramer in response to some concerns expressed by the community.
The city said its five immunization clinics will be running at full capacity this weekend as vaccinations for children aged five to 11 ramp up.
"It's a directive to the officers to be a bit more vigilant," Hopkinson said. "He's directed officers to pay a little bit more attention to the vaccination sites."
Earlier this week, protesters gathered outside a clinic in Windsor as children got their first dose of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine.
Hopkinson said Toronto police have not received any reports of incidents at vaccination clinics but warned that any disruption will not be permitted.
"This is more a proactive measure by the chief to try and provide safety for families that are visiting vaccination sites and to alleviate some concerns," he said.
"If a parent has decided that they think it's safe for their child to be vaccinated, they have the right to go into those vaccination clinics. They have the right to get the vaccination, and nobody should impede them from doing it. It will not be tolerated."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.