April 8, 2021
This past week, Enforcement Officers from the City of Mississauga supported Peel Regional Police under Project Noisemaker and Eliminate Racing Activity on Streets Everywhere (E.R.A.S.E.) enforcing vehicle noise violations, street racing and gathering violations of the Reopening Ontario Act. Twenty-three tickets ($880) were issued for COVID-19 gathering violations and four tickets ($385) were issued for vehicle noise. Police also laid thirty-six Highway Traffic Act (HTA) charges related to speeding and dangerous driving.
“I applaud the efforts of our City of Mississauga Enforcement Officers supporting Peel Regional Police in Project Noisemaker & E.R.A.S.E. enforcing to make our City safe,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The enforcement of these activities in our retail areas improves the safety and quality of life for all. This is especially important during the pandemic when gathering in large numbers presents a risk for everyone. We can’t afford to take chances during our recovery from the pandemic. It is my hope the news of these charges and fines travels and raises awareness that these activities will not be tolerated or ignored in our City and they come with consequences.”
The primary location of activity was at Mavis and Britannia. Officers also responded to incidents at 110 Courtney Park Dr., 6900 Airport Rd., Winston Churchill/Highway 401, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway and 100 City Centre Drive. Some events included 100 to 200 vehicles gathered in a commercial parking lot, engine revving, burnouts and gatherings in contravention of COVID-19 regulations.
Project Noisemaker
Project Noisemaker is a Peel Regional Police initiative that focuses on reducing the number of motor vehicles with modified and/or excessively loud exhaust systems on roadways. Vehicles are subject to charges, including improper muffler and unnecessary noise, contrary to the HTA or the City of Mississauga’s Noise Control By-law. The penalties under the HTA include fines of $110 upon conviction or $305 for by-law charges.
E.R.A.S.E.
E.R.A.S.E. is an awareness and enforcement campaign operated jointly by police services across Ontario in partnership with the Government of Ontario, with the goal of eliminating street racing and other high-risk driving behaviours. According to the Peel Regional Police, excessive speed has consistently been the greatest contributing factor in many fatal collisions that have occurred in the Peel Region. Street racers put themselves and unsuspecting road users at risk of death or serious injury when they choose to disobey traffic laws. They drive without due care and control and with a disregard for public safety.
Call 911 if you see dangerous driving practices that could cause personal injury or loss of life. When contacting police, try to note the vehicle’s location, direction of travel, make, model, licence plate number and driver’s description.