2 people charged at Old Colony Mennonite churches due to large gatherings, say CK police

Chatham-Kent Police have charged two individualsfor violating provincial public health measures under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) at two Old Colony Mennonite churches due to large gatherings.

On Sunday, police responded to calls of large gatherings at the Old Colony Mennonite Church locationsin Dresden, Charing Cross and Wheatley.

An officer determined the Old Colony Mennonite Churchin Dresden was in violation of current public health restrictions. A 50-year-old man from Dover Centre, was charged with failing to comply.

Police also charged a 40-year-old manfrom Dresdenforfailing to comply.

A third location in Wheatley is currently under an investigation after an officer responded to calls of a large gathering at the Old Colony Mennonite Church there.

According to Const.Renee Cowell, public informationofficer for Chatham-Kent Police, the threeOld Colony Mennonite churches havebeen charged16 times under the Reopening Ontario Act. The Wheatley church has seven charges, the Dresden churchfive charges, and the Caring Cross church has four charges all under the Reopening Ontario Act.

"We (CKPS) continue to work with the Crown Attorney's Office and Ministry of Attorney General for a court injunction that will require churches who continue to defy the ROA to comply with the current provincial restrictions," said Const. Cowell.

Cowell explainedpolice generally chargethe person who organized the gathering or event, orthe person who comes forward to take responsibility.

Last weekend two locations of the Old Mennonite Colony Church were charged under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Ontario enteredPhase 1 of the Road to Reopen plan on June 11. The capacity for indoor religious services shifted from a maximum of 10 people to a maximum of 15 per cent capacity.

Chatham-Kent Police services could not provide the exact number of people present atthe Dresden or Charing Cross churches from this past weekend.