Winthrop Man Fined $300 For Large Party Violating Coronavirus Restrictions
WINTHROP (CBS) - A Winthrop man was fined $300 for hosting a large party last weekend that violated several state COVID-19 restrictions.
Police were called to the home on Bellevue Avenue last Saturday, around 10 p.m. for complaints about a large party. Officers say there were about 30 people there who weren't wearing masks or social distancing.
The host, an unidentified 51-year-old man, was fined $300. It is the first time the town has issued such a fine, said Police Chief Terence Delehanty.
"We're not here to punish people. We're here to emphasize that we're in a pandemic, we're in the red in Winthrop, and we want to return to somewhat normalcy here in Winthrop. We ask for everyone's cooperation. This is not the first time the Winthrop Police Department had been to that house," said Delehanty. "We issue warnings first, try to talk to people, and then if our last option has to be the enforcement through fines or criminal charges then we will certainly exercise those options."
Winthrop is one of 17 Massachusetts communities designated as high-risk for coronavirus infections by the state. Some neighbors thought the fine should have been bigger than $300.
"We complain about our rights being violated. They're doing it for our own good," said Winthrop resident Bill Sarro about the fine.
Indoor gatherings are currently limited to 25 people in Massachusetts and if there are more than 10 people from different households everyone is required to wear a mask.
"The fact that there was no masking going on is of utmost concern to us because we've seen it all throughout the country how different states are applying different mandates for masking. Maine right now is the in the middle of a huge investigation from a wedding that was unmasked so the masking is a big concern for me," said Public Health Director Meredith Hurley.