Sarnia's police chief says he's disappointed that over 100 local teens chose to ignore provincial orders banning large social gatherings.
Norm Hansen said officers responded to the area of Bright's Grove beach Friday night after calls came in from residents concerned about the size of the crowd, alcohol abuse, and fighting.
"Teenagers want to get together and have fun but, right now, we have to make sure that we're obeying the rules because we don't want a resurgence in our area," said Hansen. "I'm a little disappointed in the kids but more so maybe in the parents. I'd like parents to be more aware of where their youth are hanging out."
Chief Hansen said when officers arrived the young people scattered and reconvened in different areas, and a notice was sent out asking parents to help get their kids home.
He said no tickets were issued but such behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Well obviously we can't allow this to continue, so yes, if our officers have to keep attending then soon or later we'll be forced into laying some charges," he said.
The Ontario government recently reduced the size of unmonitored and private social gatherings as COVID numbers rise. Only 10 people are allowed to attend indoor gatherings and 25 outdoors.
With the province hitting a new daily high of 700 COVID-19 cases Monday, Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade said increased socialization is largely to blame.
"It's still largely driven by social and socializing kinds of behaviour, so people getting together and being in close contact to each other for long periods of time, especially indoors but not exclusively indoors," he said.
Dr. Ranade noted the case increases are still concentrated in large urban areas like the GTA and Ottawa.
There was no change in Sarnia-Lambton's case count in the past 24 hours but one new case was added over the weekend for a total of three active cases.
-With files from Dave Dentinger