Bylaw officers are ramping up their patrols of Coquitlam parks in an effort to root out smokers.
The city’s message: “Don’t let our parks go up in smoke.” That’s according to a recent press release, in which a spokesperson for the city of Coquitlam said Mundy Park and Coquitlam River trails would receive special attention.
Any form of smoking is banned in city parks, including tobacco products, cannabis and e-cigarettes. But while bylaw officers usually hand out $150 fines to smokers flaunting the rules, during the summer months, that fine jumps to $500 to help protect against tinderbox conditions.
The $150 fine will still apply to anyone tossing a cigarette butt on the ground or out a car window.
The city of Coquitlam recommends that park users take extra care to prevent accidental wildfires at this time of year, and should they see smoke or open flames, to call 911 immediately.
