Woman who refused to wear mask in viral video on SkyTrain ordered to pay over $400 in fines

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The woman who verbally berated a transit officer on the SkyTrain for several minutes because she didn’t want to put on a mask has been ordered to pay two tickets which total to $460.

Two months ago, a video went viral of the encounter as an officer calmly confronted a woman while she accused him of harassment, shouted at him, and kicked him in the groin before being arrested.

Spokesperson Sgt. Clint Hampton says the incident took place last December.

He explains that Metro Vancouver Transit Police recommended charges after the incident, but the BC Prosecution Service did not lay them. However, she was issued provincial violation tickets — one for not wearing a mask and another for her belligerent behaviour.

Related Article: Transit Police say mask enforcement challenges highlighted in viral video

Hampton says the woman disputed the PHO tickets but it was overseen by a Justices of the Peace. The tickets were upheld, “and she was found guilty.”

“I think today was a relief in a sense [for the officer],” he says.

Hampton adds he’s proud of how the officer handled the situation, adding not all the feedback the officer got was positive.

“There is a certain group, say ‘anti maskers’ — or whatever you want to call them — that were very vocal and had very negative comments … about the actions of [the officer], and I know how hard that can be,” he says.

“General members of the public, would look at this and see the patience and professionalism … exhibited through a pretty difficult position to be in,” Hampton adds.

Now that people in the province have gotten used to the COVID-19 protocols, Hampton says the vast majority of people are following the rules.

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