Between 30 December 2020 and 4 January 2021 Latvia’s State Police Zemgale Region Department’s officers checked a total of 4 026 persons during the compulsory house sitting period, as reported by police.
A total of 568 administrative violation reports were compiled and 899 warnings were issued to residents for breach of curfew.
One person was fined thrice for breach of restrictions – EUR 50, EUR 1 000 and EUR 1 500.
In Zemgale a total of 802 State Police officers were involved in curfew monitoring efforts. 148 municipal police officers, 5 State Border Guard officers and 340 members of the National Guard took part in monitoring efforts.
Police note that many residents met during curfew tried looking for excuses to breach movement and gathering restrictions. Of the 4 026 surveyed residents a total of 1 823 presented valid and justified reasons for leaving their homes. 899 residents, on the other hand, were issued preventive warnings for breach of measures.
50 cases found during control measures were not related to the Cabinet of Ministers order on declaration of state of emergency. Another 97 violations were found. Police will decide on commencement of administrative violation processes.
State Police ZRP Dobele Department found 105 cases related to breach of curfew. The smallest fine applied for this violation was EUR 10 (14 cases). In 25 cases police fined perpetrators EUR 50.
Three persons were fined EUR 1 000 each for blatant and intentional breach of restrictions.
On 1 January police found a 1989-born man remained outside after numerous warnings and could not provide a justified reason for being outside. This is why he was fined EUR 1 000. On 3 January two men, who had been previously warned about breaching restrictions, continued their nightly walk outside. Upon spotting a police car, the two tried to run away from officers into the woods. The 1988-born and 1977-born men were fined EUR 1 000 each.
91 administrative violation processes on breach of curfew were commenced in Tukums. The smallest fine amount – EUR 10 – was applied in nine cases, whereas the largest – EUR 1 500 – was used in two case. 35 residents were fined EUR 300 each.
For example, at 11:40 p.m. on 3 January law enforcers stopped a BMW 530 in Engure. As an explanation for why the man was outside his home after curfew, the driver said he was moving property for personal needs. The 2000-born driver was fined EUR 300.
State Police in Bauska registered 70 cases related to breach of curfew on New Year ’s Eve. 43 persons found breaching curfew were fined EUR 100 each. The biggest fine amount – EUR 1 000 – was applied to two persons for repeated breach of restrictions. On 31 December in Bauska, Riga Street, police found a 1989-born woman and man of the same age outside after curfew without a justified reason. Because the two were previously caught breaching curfew, the two were fined EUR 1 000 each. In Iecava some 1970-born man decided to celebrate New Year’s by firing fireworks in the yard of the apartment house. When police arrived at the scene, the man became aggressive, earning a fine of EUR 600.
State Police officers registered 85 cases of breach of curfew in Jekabpils.
7 of those cases were registered by Jekabpils municipal police. 37 people were fined EUR 100 each for breach of curfew. The biggest fine there was EUR 500, which was applied to a man after he ignored curfew for a second time on 2 January.
State Police in Jelgava commenced 79 administrative violation processes for breach of curfew. 19 residents were fined EUR 100 each. Two people were fined EUR 800, thee were fined EUR 1 000, and one person was received a third fine – EUR 1 500.
The biggest fines were applied for blatant and intentional breach of restrictions, as well as conflicting and aggressive behaviour.
On 2 January police caught a 1972-born man in Jelgava, Riga Street. This man was driving a bicycle. During the check police found the man was drunk and outside his home without a properly filled form. Because the man acted in a defiant, brazen and conflicted manner, police decided to fine him EUR 1 000. On top of that, police commenced an administrative violation process for driving a bicycle while drunk. Another resident of Jelgava – a 1985-born man – managed to receive three fines for breach of curfew in two days – EUR 50, EUR 1 000 and EUR 1 500.
The majority of curfew violations during the holiday were found in Aizkraukle – 125. The smallest fine amount – EUR 10 – was used in 13 cases. One resident was fined EUR 1 500 and three were fined EUR 1 000. Two residents were fined EUR 800. 41 people were fined EUR 200.
Pļaviņi was a hot point for violations during the holiday in Aizkraukle. Residents there openly and brazenly demonstrated their defiance. On 31 December about an hour before midnight a 1973-born woman was caught by police outside her home. In the conversation with police, she claimed restrictions do not apply to her, adding that she is prepared to continue her behaviour. Police fined her EUR 1 000.
On 1 January around 00:18 a.m. a 1976-born man entered a conflict with police, resisting law enforcers’ requests and refusing to provide his personal data. He was fined EUR 1 500. On the same night a 1966-born man ignored police officers’ order to return home and even threatened police officers.
The man was fined EUR 1 000 for such behaviour.
On 4 January a quarter after midnight a 1955-born man ignored multiple warnings issued by police officers and provoked them to a conflict, resulting in a fine of EUR 800.
On 31 December around 23:05 police in Jaunjelgava caught a 1986-born man for drunk driving. He was fined EUR 1 000. A criminal process for driving a car while drunk was also commenced.
State Police remind that this week curfew will be imposed again between 8th and 10th January. Residents are urged to keep in mind that this measure is necessary to reduce the spread of the virus and improve public health.
