Hamilton Police opt not to proceed with charges in relation to road painting
Published September 3, 2020 at 1:54 pm
The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) says they concluded its investigation into the roadway painting that took place outside City Hall in July and they will not be proceeding with criminal charges aga
The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) says they concluded its investigation into the roadway painting that took place outside City Hall in July and they will not be proceeding with criminal charges against those responsible.
On July 23, 2020, shortly after 12:30 p.m., a group of approximately one hundred protestors attended the area of Main Street West in front of Hamilton City Hall ahead of the Hamilton Police Services Board meeting that was held there that day.
The protestors, who were calling for HPS to be defunded, closed the street using their own vehicles for protection. Some participants then proceeded to paint the words ‘Defund the Police’ on the roadway using household paint and tools.
Upon completion, the City of Hamilton used a private contractor to clean the paint from the roadway out of concern for public and traffic safety. The costs incurred by the City of Hamilton in relation to the clean up were in excess of $5,000.
HPS subsequently began a criminal investigation into the incident on July 24, 2020.
Videos
In a press release issued Thursday (Sept 3), police say they have identified five persons with varying levels of involvement.
At this time, police say they have chosen to exercise discretion in this matter and as such, the five individuals were cautioned in relation to the criminal code offence of Mischief over $5,000, contrary to Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code.
“As a police service, we acknowledge the need for public engagement and dialogue on issues facing our community such as systemic racism and discrimination, as well as how police respond to homelessness, harm reduction and mental illness,” HPS says in the release.
“We recognize the right to lawful, peaceful assembly and protest. However, we remind the public that defacing public property is a criminal act and subject to charges.”
The Hamilton Police Services Board is meeting later Thursday, and on the agenda is a two-page report prepared by HPS chief Eric Girt on what a potential 20 per cent reduction of Hamilton’s police budget would look like.
Earlier this year, when local activists called for the Hamilton Police Service to be defunded, the police services board responded by voting on a motion to have a report prepared that would provide insight on what a 20 per cent reduction in their budget would look like.
In the report released earlier this week, Girt claims that a 20 per cent reduction would equate to $34.3 million and, since 90 per cent of the budget is earmarked for salaries and benefits would mostly impact staffing and 279 uniformed officers.
“These reductions would result in increased response times, decreased visibility in the community, a decrease in self-initiated policing, and a decrease in service delivery,” the report says.
The board meeting will be streamed live starting at 1 p.m Thursday afternoon.
Photo courtesy HWDSB Kids Need Help Twitter
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising