Police in Fairfield Monday say they will begin fining people who gather at closed recreational spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up until Monday, the police department had taken the approach of encouragement, not enforcement.

But starting Monday, they say violators could be slapped with a $92 fine for trespassing.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick ordered all public parks, playgrounds, beaches, lakes and other recreational spaces to close three weeks ago to help slow the spread of the virus.

Since then, she says she has received countless reports of both children and adults congregating at closed areas.

Pictures given to News 12 show some of those violating the rules.

In some cases, police say people have even taken down ‘no parking’ signs and removed a blockade at the entrance to Lake Mohegan.

Kupchick says everyone needs to take this pandemic seriously.

Police say they will continue to patrol all recreational spaces in town.