Monday, October 15, 2012

Checking in with The Chief (Acting Chief)

Given all the recent talk about a casino in Hamilton, we decided to check in with Police Chief Glenn DeCaire's office and ask him a few questions about what kind of impacts, if any, do casinos have on crime and policing. The Chief is unavailable at this time, and thus Acting Chief Eric Girt was kind enough to reply:

1. With the talk of a casino possibly in Hamilton and potentially in the downtown core area, what types of issues (if any), from a policing perspective would this bring?

Hamilton Police Service is committed to policing the City, to ensure the safety of the community. As you may be aware, we sent correspondence to the City’s Casino Subcommittee, requesting the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and provide input that the committee may wish to consider.

2. Are there any particular types of crime or criminal activity that tends to follow the presence of casinos that otherwise would not have been in play, or be as prevalent? If so, what might be expected?

The Service has set up an internal ad hoc casino committee to look at the impact of casinos in other jurisdictions from a policing perspective. Our research will include reaching out to other law enforcement agencies, which will include Toronto and Niagara Regional Police Services, in order to fully identify all issues. We will share this information with the City’s Subcommittee.

3. How would the advent of a casino affect policing in Hamilton. Are there any pressures it would present either from a capacity or skills required type of perspective, or any other perspective. How would a police service respond to such pressures?

As mentioned in our #2 response, our focus is to fully identify the issues involved from a policing perspective and then provide this to the Subcommittee.

Thanks Acting Chief Girt. We are certain Hamiltonians will be interested in your findings and reports. 

Comments? Do you think a Casino will bring with it new forms of crime, or increased incidents of crime? Or are you of the view that there will be a negligible affect, if any? 

2 comments:

  1. I am not an expert but I am guessing that crime will be on the rise in the immediate area and perhaps further out. When people lose money, and if they were in a dire state to begin with, some may resort to desperate measures including crime. I also thjink casinos, or anywhere that handles lots of cash, invites different types of crime. I don't think we need this in Hamilton and we should not be taken in by the idea.

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  2. Casino in Hamilton? That means increased Organized Crime to our City. Is this what Hamiltonians wannt? Wake up and smell the roses Hamilton.

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