Ongoing Violence and Vandalism Forces City of Hamilton to Consider Closure of Community Centre

Recent incidents of violence and vandalism at the Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre in Hamilton have prompted the city to consider further restrictions, including potentially closing the centre during daytime hours. The centre was closed in the evenings in June after staff reported verbal harassment, vandalism, and aggressive behaviour from a group of youths. The situation has continued to escalate, with a "very serious incident" reported on July 1, in which fireworks were shot at innocent bystanders, sending some to hospital with serious injuries.

Key Takeaways:

• The Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre in Hamilton was closed in the evenings in June due to incidents of verbal harassment, vandalism, and aggressive behaviour from a group of youths.
• The centre was reopened on July 2 with enhanced security measures, including a locked front entrance and police presence.
• However, further incidents have occurred, including a youth being arrested in connection with an assault at the centre on July 2.
• The city is considering closing the centre during daytime hours as well, which would be an entire closure of the facility.
• Residents pay property taxes to use the recreation centres, and they should be safe spaces for the community.
• The incident involving fireworks is believed to be the same group of teens responsible for previous incidents.

Statistics:

• The centre was closed in the evenings from June 2 to July 2 due to the incidents.
• 2 people were sent to hospital with serious injuries after being shot with fireworks on July 1.
• 1 youth was arrested in connection with an assault at the centre on July 2.
• The waterdown Memorial Park washrooms have been closed several times since 2018 due to repeated vandalism.
• The washroom facilities have been heavily damaged, including flooded toilets and attempts to pull towel dispensers and a drinking fountain off the walls.

Sources:

• Hamilton Spectator, "Concerns raised about Long Beach Park washrooms after group of youths vandalize facility" (date not specified)
• Victoria Kerekesch, Manager of District Recreation Operations, City of Hamilton, via email, July 1, 2023 (exact quote and date were not provided in the original text)
• Const. Adam Kimber, Hamilton police spokesperson, in an interview with The Hamilton Spectator, July 2 (exact quote and date were not provided in the original text)
• Mac Christie, Hamilton Spectator reporter, via email, macchristie@thespec.com