Hamilton CopWatch

March 15: International Day Against Police Brutality

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:29:04 -0400

March 15th is recognized in various cities around the world as the International Day Against Police Brutality. It is a day to remember victims of police violence, as well as stand up and fight against it. In Hamilton we will be marking the day with a small “Know Your Rights” workshop and skillshare. Arming ourselves with knowledge, educating our friends and families, is one step toward empowering ourselves and our communities to deal with police abuses. Event details below:

Do you know your rights when dealing with the police? Did you know you do not always have to allow them to search your bag, or empty your pockets? Did you know you do not have to show the cops your ID when stopped and asked on the street? Or even say a word for that matter?

Join us to for a free ‘Know Your Rights’ workshop to commemorate the International Day Against Police Brutality, March 15th. Empower yourself to stand up to police harassment and abuse

Facebook Event

02/04/2012 Hamilton stands up to police terror

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:24:02 -0400

02/04/2012 Hamilton stands up to police terror

Rally a success!

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:45:16 -0500

Thanks to all who came out on Saturday to stand against paramilitary raids in Hamilton, and support the Marklands.

Article from the Hamilton Spectator

Video report from The Centre for Police Accountability

Full report from Hamilton CopWatch coming soon.

RALLY: Families & Friends Against Police Terror!

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:40:42 -0500

Hamilton CopWatch is helping organise a rally against violent and excessive police raids in our communities. February 4th, 12:30PM at Hamilton City Hall. Check it out and help spread the word on Facebook. See you there!

Statement on "Project Marvel" Raids in Hamilton

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:33:00 -0500

NO MORE POLICE TERROR IN OUR CITY!

Hamilton CopWatch statement on recent ‘Project Marvel’ raids

On Tuesday December 13^th Toronto police launched a coordinated series of pre-dawn raids across Canada involving over 900 cops from several jurisdictions executing 67 warrants targeting Toronto based ‘street gangs’ and their extended networks. Locally a total of 5 homes were attacked by Hamilton and Toronto Police, including the residence of a 68-year-old Sharon McCrudden (Toronto Police later admitted they had the wrong address) and another of Pamela Markland and her 6 children. Despite the use of dangerous paramilitary tactics, Hamilton Police have come up with no arrests or charges as a result of the raids.

In the case of the Markland family, heavily armed police stormed her home at approximately 5:30AM while she and her family were still asleep. After kicking in the door police lobbed a flash bang grenade at her and her 9-year-old autistic son. They pointed guns at and handcuffed her children (aged 8 to 21) while ransacking their home. No arrests were made, no property confiscated and no charges were laid. Pamela Markland’s family was left with no front door, a home in ruins and no understanding of the reasoning behind the police attack. This police action has left the family traumatized and unable to return to their home, but Pamela tells Hamilton CopWatch “I refuse to stay silent and accept the injustice done to me and my children”.

Toronto and Hamilton Police have refused to take responsibility for any of the disturbing events of December 13^th. Hamilton cops have shifted the blame while Toronto cops have insisted that the raids were “lawful enforcement” of their warrants. Following last year’s horrific beating of Po La Hay amidst a botched raid it’s clear these tactics need to be challenged and police accountability must be fought for through grassroots efforts. Hamilton CopWatch denounces the use of these excessive and dangerous raids. The result of ‘Project Marvel’ in Hamilton has been nothing but systematic brutality, terrorizing marginalized communities in our city. Hamilton CopWatch stands in solidarity with Pamela Markland, and all victims of police brutality!

No more police terror!

No more unaccountable police!

Dignity and support for victims of brutality!

Hamilton CopWatch

www.hamiltoncopwatch.com

905.546.8768

Hamilton Copwatch in the News!

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:50:13 -0500

Hamilton Spectator - in print

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Cop Watch: To serve and protect

Written by Nicole O’Reilly

They patrol Hamilton’s streets wearing bright orange safety vests, carrying cameras and incident report forms, looking for police.

Motivated by what they allege to be abuse of power, excessive force and harrassment of the poor and socially marginalized, they say someone needs to be watching the Hamilton Police Service.

Meet Hamilton Cop Watch, a loosely assembled group of about half a dozen local residents who formed out of various social justice and activist groups this summer. They are based on the model of a similar group that formed in Berkeley, California in the 1990s, said member Devin Crawford, 23.

Crawford was previously part of the Hamilton Day of Action Against Police Brutality group that formed following the shooting death of 19-year-old Andreas Chinnery by a Hamilton Police officer last February. The Special Investigations Unit cleared the officer.

The group cites recent incidents including Chinnery’s death and the mistaken arrest and beating of Po La Hay as reasons for their incarnation.

Crawford also criticized the force’s ACTION team’s behaviour, such as how they stop and question people as they patrol the downtown on foot or by bike.

“They’re not going to ask a guy in a business suit,” Crawford said, adding that he believes the people targeted are often young or have mental health or addiction issues.

There are many people from different backgrounds who feel threatened when police stop and question them, he added.

It’s beyond saying hello, said member Sofie Murray, 22, adding that officers often ask for identification, where people are going and other person details. Many people don’t know their rights, she said.

Contacted by the Spectator, Sergeant Terri-Lynn Collings said police are aware of the group.

During a walk-along and interview for an unrelated story earlier this year, Sergeant Jay Turner told The Spectator that the ACTION team is intended to get back to the roots of community policing, by getting to know business owners and people in high crime areas.

Murray and Crawford acknowledge that there are issues downtown, but they believe the answer lies with social services, not policing.

On a typical Cop Watch patrol - which began this fall - one member will record a police officer’s activity, while the other fills out a report of what they are witnessing, Murray said.

She recalled a recent outing where an officer was handing out jaywalking tickets to people downtown. When the officer noticed the crew, Murray alleges he yelled in their faces and asked whether they had permission to record.

Anyone can make a recording in a public space.

In their patrols so far, members have not recorded any incidents where they believe excessive force was used, Murray said. But if they did, he said they would consider handing the footage over to another group or publishing it on their website.

Both Murray and Crawford say they have had bad personal interactions with police, but insist Cop Watch is not motivated by personal malice. Rather, they advocate making fundamental changes in the way police operate.

“It’s about a larger pattern,” Murray said, adding that a lack of transparency is also a problem.

Crawford alleges police often “criminalize” the poor and those with mental health and addiction by arresting or ticketing people for panhandling, loitering and the sex trade.

They hope Hamilton Cop Watch will grow larger. They also hope people will call them to report ongoing incidents to be filmed.

For more information visit www.hamiltoncopwatch.com

Hamilton CopWatch patrol hits the streets! Report and updates...

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:13:45 -0400

Hamilton CopWatch is on patrol!

Hamilton CopWatch has fielded a number of patrols over the past few weeks, monitoring police activity downtown while reaching out to others in the community about our work. These patrols form the foundation of CopWatch, work that we hope will deter police brutality and harassment. While on the street we record any interaction between the police and the public and distribute CopWatch contact cards and leaflets, while being highly visible as a unified force (CopWatchers are identifiable by the reflective vests, clip boards and cameras). This combination of counter-surveillance, outreach and visibility is our strategy to build a powerful Hamilton CopWatch and encourage a broader culture of CopWatching and resistance to police abuse in the heart of Steel City.

Thus far our patrols have provided valuable training for Hamilton CopWatchers and opportunities to fine tune our routes and protocol. Want to get involved? Have information on the cops you want to share or an incident to report? Get in touch: 905-546-8768 or hamiltoncopwatch@riseup.net

Hamilton Cops think twice about harassing #Occupy participants

In recent weeks Occupy Hamilton rallies have gathered every Saturday in Gore Park in solidarity with the global Occupy movement. Hamilton CopWatch has been occasionally present at these rallies to keep an eye on police, who until last Saturday (October 22nd) have kept their distance.

This changed when some Occupiers used sidewalk chalk to write various messages on the concrete in the park. The cops saw this as an excuse to weasel their way into the crowd and began hassling people about the “mischief”, claiming that they were looking to potentially press charges against those writing with the chalk. At around 2:40pm, 3 cops were on the scene (David - badge #423, Young - badge #119, and a third cop with badge #1164) with what appeared to be the intention of intimidating people from expressing dissident political views. A call was made to CopWatchers in the area, who made their way to the park to begin filming and questioning the cops about the situation. Unable to give an answer as to whether sidewalk chalk was a crime, the 3 instead simply got angry about being filmed.

Shortly after the arrival of CopWatch, and perhaps feeling a bit foolish, the 3 made their way back to their vehicles and cleared out of the park.

A Day in the Park With Hamilton CopWatch

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:15:00 -0400

Recently formed Hamilton CopWatch held a public gathering in Beasley Park hoping to connect with community members and begin building a base of support for our activity in the city. The Beasley Park Community Jam offered an opportunity for CopWatch organizers to meet with others concerned or impacted by police brutality, enjoy some music, share food and share ideas of how we can work to defend ourselves.

Downtown Hamilton’s Beasley neighbourhood is the poorest in the city and one of the poorest in the entire country. As such the area is also the primary target of the Hamilton Police ACTION team, which aggressively criminalizes poor, homeless and marginalized people. Building a group like CopWatch that is willing to combat police harassment and abuse is clearly necessary within this context.

Folks who stopped by the event were treated to a free meal, musical acts, and balloon animals and face painting for the kids. Amidst the festive atmosphere several dozen “Know Your Rights” booklets were distributed along with Hamilton CopWatch contact cards. A number of local organizers from various groups also spoke addressing the need for self-organization in order to fight back against the police, poverty, and improve our collective conditions. A small success like the event on the 28th has us at Hamilton CopWatch looking forward to continuing to contribute to this process.

More a more in depth discussion of the purpose and goals of Hamilton CopWatch, check out this recent interview:

http://linchpin.ca/content/Community-organizing/Who039s-Streets-Our-Streets-Interview-Hamilton-CopWatch

Lunch, desert & literature…

For full stomachs and sharpened minds…

Children enjoying free face painting and balloon animals

Sunday at Beaz

All are welcome to our first public event! Food, speakers, bake...

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:35:00 -0400

All are welcome to our first public event! Food, speakers, bake sale, music and literature. Come check us out!