Vancouver party host out on bail after spending Christmas in jail

VANCOUVER – Police say a Vancouver man who spent Christmas in jail after repeatedly hosting parties in violation of public health orders is now bound by bail conditions requiring him to answer the door if officers knock.

Sgt. Steve Addison says police issued multiple warnings and twice fined the 24-year-old man but he vowed to continue hosting parties.

Addison says the man was arrested on Christmas Day, and he spent the night behind bars.

He must comply with public health orders that limit people living on their own to host two others that are part of their social bubble.

The Vancouver Police Department says in a release that it has received 12 complaints about noise and parties at the man’s downtown apartment since September.

It says officers issued two tickets for $2,300 earlier this month and obtained an arrest warrant after a neighbour complained about another loud party on Dec. 18.

“This should serve as a reminder to anyone who thinks it’s still OK to ignore the public health order and put other people at risk,” Addison says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2020.