Montreal police say they are taking a zero-tolerance approach to pyrotechnics and will be increasing their presence at gatherings, with major events underway and others fast approaching.
Anyone igniting or possessing items like fireworks, firecrackers, rockets, smoke bombs or any exploding device could face “immediate penalties,” police warn.
Those penalties include arrests and fines up to $5,000.
“The SPVM will apply a zero-tolerance policy to any offence related to this regulation. Police officers will intervene promptly as soon as a pyrotechnic device or smoke grenade is observed, handled, or used in a prohibited context,” Montreal police said in a news release.
Montreal police say two people are facing fines for lighting fireworks in the city’s downtown after the Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres Monday night in Game 7.
The SPVM is now saying a young child was injured in one of those incidents, while the other incident led to a small fire.
“These situations demonstrate that these objects can seriously compromise public safety, and we reiterate the importance of respecting current regulations,” said SPVM Cmmdr. François Sauvé in a news release.
Montreal police say specialized teams, foot patrols, bicycle patrols, and vehicle patrols will be deployed “to quickly detect any infractions and intervene when necessary.”
Monday’s decisive Game 7 was played in Buffalo, but the Bell Centre in Montreal hosted a sold-out watch party for roughly 20,000 people. The Canadiens are now taking on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.
