A Winnipeg man was surprised to learn that walking in a city park after dark can earn a fine bigger than that for many serious driving offences.
Doug Tervoort said he was recently taking a walk through Bonnycastle Park after 10:00 p.m. when suddenly he was approached by police officers shining flashlights in his face.
“They said that I was breaking the law, that I was not allowed to be in the park at night, and I was like, excuse me?” said Tervoort.
Tervoort said he had no idea you can't go to a city park after 10:00 p.m. and he definitely didn't know how much the fine would cost him if he did.
“$275 with court taxes included,” he said.
The fine for using a cellphone while driving is $200, and driving 17 km over the speed limit will cost you $272.75.
Many people CTV spoke to were surprised by the hefty amount. “I'm a little shocked. I don't understand why,” said park patron Val Verity. “That's public isn't it?”
It is public space, but the Winnipeg Police Service said it doesn't have the resources to actively patrol all parks, all night long. The city said, in the interests of public safety, all parks are closed between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
"(Safety-wise), maybe they have a point on that, but I think everyone should be allowed in the park, anytime," said Babylin Dhingra, a park patron.
Tervoort plans to fight the ticket in court. Although he admits he broke the bylaw, he plans to plead guilty with an explanation. He’ll argue that there isn’t adequate warning about the bylaw, and signage in the park is obscured by leaves.
- With a report by Jon Hendricks
