Nearly 200 charges laid in Wasaga Beach over weekend; Mayor calls for more police

Officials in Wasaga Beach want more police officers brought in to protect the community after an out of control weekend.

The town has traditionally been known as a summer party locale but a weekend unsanctioned car rally proved too much for the mayor and provincial police.

“Over the past weekend, the safety of our community was repeatedly put at risk and this is not acceptable,” reads a statement from Wasaga Beach mayor Nina Bifolchi.

“A group of individuals participating in an unsanctioned car rally visited our community and broke the law. This included careless and dangerous driving, the operation of unsafe vehicles, damaging public and private property, breaking into businesses, disturbing the peace, and risking people’s lives.”

Social media video showed drivers doing doughnuts, people smashing windows of at least two police cruisers, and an overall sense of lawlessness.

The Huronia West detachment of the OPP say officers responded to 327 calls and laid 191 charges between Friday and Sunday. These included 154 traffic violations and police say three motorists were charged with impaired driving.

Bifolchi say there were clearly not enough police resources to handle the unsanctioned gathering. She says she would like to see the Solicitor General get involved.

“The town has no authority over the OPP, but we call on those in authority within the OPP to review what transpired and take steps to ensure that there is never a repeat of what we witnessed,” reads her statement.

“On behalf of our town council and all residents, as well as our many law-abiding visitors, I call on Solicitor-General Michael Kerzner to ensure that the OPP are properly equipped and prepared to ensure that Wasaga Beach is not put at risk again.”

The OPP have confirmed two police vehicle windows were smashed in the early morning hours of Aug. 28. Police also say they have launched numerous investigations related to several other incidents in the overnight hours of Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

OPP Const. Martin Hachey says police are investigating property damage at the town’s Canadian Tire Store, as well as damage and a break-and-enter at the local WalMart, in addition to other incidents of mischief.