Vancouver Police issued more than $17,000 in fines Sunday morning and arrested a 42-year-old man who was operating a makeshift nightclub in his Richards Street penthouse.
“Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks the rules don’t apply to them,” says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. “If you are caught hosting or attending a party during the pandemic, and continue to break the rules, you could face stiff fines or wind up in jail.”
Vancouver Police launched an investigation one week ago after a witness called police to report a large party inside a penthouse apartment near Richards Street and Georgia Street. Police handed out numerous fines to a man who was allegedly working as a doorman, however the party host refused to open the door and was defiant with police.
Officers returned early Sunday morning with a search warrant after two additional large parties were held this weekend. The 1,100-square-foot penthouse was packed with people and appeared to be running as a nightclub and show lounge. “Our officers found 78 people inside the three-level apartment, and none of them were wearing masks,” adds Sergeant Addison. “There were menus, tables, point-of-sale terminals, and cash tills.” VPD officers issued each party-goer a $230 ticket for attending a non-complaint event – contrary to the Emergency Program Act.
Illegal booze-can shut down. Party-goers blatantly disregarded health orders,₩ tying up significant police resources on a busy night that included: stabbings, missing 10 yr old (found), suicidal pers on bridge, domestics, along with 100s of other serious calls. #NotOkay #selfish https://t.co/PBcbjZXbkL
— Howard Chow (@DeputyChow) January 31, 2021
The party host was arrested under the Public Health Act and taken to jail. The Emergency Program Act bans social gatherings of any size inside residences, but allows people who live alone to host two people with whom they regularly socialize
