305 Fines Issued For Those Illegally Entering The Community
Written by Paul Graif on 26 May 2020
The Kahnawà:ke Covid-19 Task Force has issued a reminder that there is a plan in-place to prepare for the eventual removal of these restrictions on June 1st, however, restrictions remain and will be continue to be strictly enforced by the Peacekeepers who will issue fines for non-compliance.
Constable Kyle Zachary is the Public Relations Officer with the Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers:
“On March 22nd we received our first report of non-locals within the territory, so I started tabulating from there, March 22nd to today (May 26th) and we’ve received 538 calls of people within the territory looking to purchase cigarettes, specifically. We’ve also received other Covid-19 related calls that don’t pertain to alcohol/(tobacco), especially since it’s warmed up, a lot of calls now are non-locals coming into the territory to fish or they’re biking through the territory. The territory is still, we’re still maintaining this jurisdiction and keeping non-locals away just to follow the instructions of the Covid Task Force.“
Anyone who is found to be on the Territory without valid reason is liable to a fine, with costs, in the amount of approximately $1,500. As of now, Kahnawà:ke stores remain closed to non-residents, so Zachary reminds non-locals not to attempt to come by:
“We encourage the community members to continue to let us know when they see people who they believe to be in contravention of these measures so we (Peacekeepers) can respond more effectively.”
Until the restrictions are removed non-locals are not permitted in Kahnawà:ke unless they have proof that they are working in or performing essential services on the Territory or are permitted under the authority of the Task Force.
