pc28¹ÙÍøpolice say they’ll be watching for “fireworks wars” this Victoria Day long weekend, as thousands are expected to gather at Ashbridges Bay Park.
During a news conference at Woodbine Beach Park on Thursday morning, Supt. Kimberley O’Toole said in previous years there have been incidents where groups of people shoot fireworks at each other.
O’Toole added that some people were also shooting fireworks at officers and horses, injuring both parties.
There will be a significant presence of police resources at the park over the long weekend, including officers on foot, bikes, side-by-side vehicles on trails and ATVs in beach areas, as well as a mounted unit.
O’Toole said that there will be increased parking enforcement this year and is recommending attendees going to the city of Toronto’s fireworks show on Monday night take the TTC.
Last year, police said they made no arrests or reported injuries in relation to fireworks, although police mentioned instances of “disorderly behaviour” being centralized around Woodbine Bathing Station.
In 2022, violence erupted at Ashbridges Bay Park during the Victoria Day celebrations and resulted in a stabbing and five arrests.
One teen was allegedly aiming fireworks at a group of people and seven officers suffered injuries, including a broken leg.
A day before the holiday that year, 19 people were arrested at Woodbine Beach after reports of people illegally setting off fireworks, as well as a shooting, a stabbing and two robberies at gunpoint.
In 2023, police said “we are not going to tolerate” the previous year’s incidents and increased their presence at Victoria Day celebrations.
O’Toole also added that last year, officers on ATVs quickly identified people bringing in fireworks, despite signs saying they’re restricted, and either confiscated them or had people put them back in their cars.
There is reportedly a $1,000 bylaw fine for anyone setting off personal fireworks in the area.
One issue that police have had to deal with over the years is DJs setting up equipment in parking lots and playing music at a loud level. O’Toole said large speakers cannot be set up and music must be played “at a reasonable level.”
Another big issue, as noted by O’Toole, is people going swimming in the water after the fireworks have ended.
She said that temperatures are very cold and it doesn’t take long for your body to feel those effects, as well as it being very difficult to see people in the dark. This has created some medical emergencies in the past, O’Toole said.
The fireworks show at Ashbridges Bay Park is expected to start at 10 p.m. on Monday.Â
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