On November 8, 2020, over 100 people attended the forecourt at City Hall for a Hugs over Masks event to protest current COVID restrictions. Hamilton Police identified the 26-year-old organizer and informed him that the planned gathering would be breaching offences under the Reopening Ontario Act and charges would apply. The organizer went ahead with the event.

The City of Hamilton By-Law Enforcement and Hamilton Police Service attended the event and confirmed that the number of attendees exceeded the numbers permitted for an outdoor gathering. The organizer was present at the event and has since been issued a Provincial Offences Act Summons for: 'Fail to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order as per Ontario Regulation 364/20, of the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020, section 10.1(1)'. A person convicted of this offence is liable to a minimum fine of $10,000. He will appear in court on February 22, 2021.

Hamilton Police are reminding the public that participation in such events could result in charges being laid pursuant to the Reopening Ontario Act.

Residents are encouraged to stay at home when ill, maintain a 2 metre distance (6 feet) from others, wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and cover coughs or sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

With the reopening, visitors to Hamilton Police stations will see some changes to how we do business. Visitors will need to answer a series of COVID screening questions, wear a mask during their visit and sanitize their hands before entering the station. Where possible, everyone is encouraged to use our online reporting tool or records check.

Hamilton Police Stations are open to the public during the following hours:

• Central: 24 hours from Monday to Sunday
• East End: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Mountain: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday

Collision Reporting Centres

Collisions can be reported at either the East End or Mountain reporting centres. Please note, collisions can no longer be reported at Central Station.

• East End: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday
• Mountain: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday  and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday

Fingerprinting

Non-criminal fingerprinting is available at Central Station by appointment at 905-546-4977. Due to high demand, there may be delays in scheduling an appointment. 

Freedom of Information

Requests can be submitted Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Records Checks

In person records checks are available at Central Station. We continue to encourage residents to apply for online records checks.

• Central: 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday

In an emergency

Call 9-1-1 in emergency situations such as life threatening situations or crimes that are in progress.

For non-emergency situations, call 905-546-4925.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the male in the attached video.

On June 16, 2020, shortly before 12:30 p.m., an unknown male entered a Computer store on King Street East in Hamilton. While in the store, the male placed both of his hands in his mouth and then rubbed them on two different computers that were on display. The male continued to engage the store employee about computer-related inquires and then exited the store.

Suspect Description:

• Male white
• Fifties
• 5 feet 9 inches with an average build.
• Short grey hair
• Wearing glasses, a striped shirt, a brown baseball cap, sandals and a knee brace.

If you have information that may help with identifying the male in the attached video, please call Detective Constable Rebecca Moran at (905) 546-3817 or A/D/Sgt. Amanda Gill at (905)546-3833.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com