Article content

BROCKVILLE — Brockville police will be sent to the Walmart parking lot to deal with concerns over returning travellers flouting social distancing.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, Brockville Mayor Jason Baker noted the city “asked power centre properties to give us permission to allow police on to their properties to control the issue.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Brockville police to deal with concerns about returning RVers at city stores Back to video

“Got almost immediate approval from Superstore. Walmart needed corporate approval. Still not yet received,” the mayor added.

“The issue is not unique to Brockville or Ontario; it is happening all along the Canadian border,” Baker’s post continued.

“So just now I have directed city management to send our police to the site anyway even without the permission in place. Some of these travellers need rest and to be off the road. Our job is to ensure our food stores remain open and our citizens remain safe. City Police will assist with this.”

In an interview, the mayor said police were being told to use their discretion about whether people were simply staying overnight to rest or whether they intend to enter the store.