The Municipal Heritage Committee holds its monthly meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month at noon.

For May, the agenda is mostly housekeeping in nature with one exception – a discussion about the Kenilworth Avenue public library building.

Unfortunately, Public Works and Board of Health are holding their meetings conflicting with Municipal Heritage and I won’t be able to livestream.

The agenda is below:

I’ve been asked if I will be livestreaming future Hamilton Police media conferences about the Tim Bosma homicide investigation.

I do not plan to cover them if they occur at the same time as City Hall meetings.

Why?

I cover City Hall primarily and am often the only reporter at 71 Main West. The video streams are the only record of many meetings.

There will be many other media outlets at the police briefings and no shortage of coverage.

When will there be streams?

If not meetings are occurring at City Hall, or if Police indicate they are releasing information to generate more public tips, a stream will be provided.

Book of Condolence and Bank Account for Donations

The City of Hamilton will provide a book of condolence for the public to sign on Friday at Ancaster Old Town Hall on Wilson Street from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Bosma family has set up a bank account for donations – this is the only official donation channel:

TD Canada Trust branch 2047

Account no. 6332096

Email inquiries: inmemoryoftimbosma@gmail.com

Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire walked into the media briefing today shortly after 10:00 a.m., immediately the look on his face and his number 1 dress uniform told us what was coming.

It was the news nobody wanted to hear, but we had been unfortunately preparing for during the past few days.

It didn’t make it any easier. I looked at the face of Superintendent Dan Kinsella, the water in his eyes told the story – a career policeman holding back the emotion, trying to put on the brave paramilitary face expected of him at moments like this.

You couldn’t see that on camera, I thought about panning to show it – no, that would be too much. I could barely hold my own emotions seeing the devastation of the police commander who lead the massive operation to find Tim Bosma.

Then the words “It is with heavy heart that the Hamilton Police Service announces the death of Ancaster resident, Tim Bosma.”

Chief De Caire paused, you could feel it in the room, especially among the assembled members of the Hamilton Police Service. They already knew what De Caire was to say, it didn’t matter – it hit hard.

It was the news we didn’t want to hear.

Now we must focus on finding justice and supporting the family in any way they request – including giving them privacy.

We are Bosma

Crime is a terrible thing. It’s senseless and can strike any of us.

It was that seem of our innocence violated that drove our outpouring and reaction in the Tim Bosma disappearance. Tim was what we preceive ourselves to be – regular folks, working hard to raise a family, not doing anything to put ourselves at risk.

Crime is a terrifying reality of life, we have to find ways to cope with it. Often, we can look at the victims of crime and find something – anything – unconsciously to disassociate ourselves from the threat. We couldn’t do that with Bosma, we could find no fault.

This is why the great public mobilization – we became Bosma

We are empowered, we didn’t get a happy ending this time, we can next time

Our efforts didn’t end as we hoped, we believed we could find Tim, we had to believe.

Saturday, we had the gut feeling as the day progressed. They had a suspect, but they didn’t have Tim.

There will be missing persons in the future, we will mobilize again and we will reunite a family.

The power of people on the platforms of Web 2.0

This was the first missing person search in Hamilton that involved social media in real-time.

Before, there were missing persons photos and releases posted to the web, but never this kind of community effort.

We won’t go back to the way it was before, we will build on this and be able to help families in the future.

Finding grace in moments like this

We mourn today, but we must live and find something in this tragedy that gives us hope for the future.

The hope I find is seeing how we came together this week unlike we ever had before and that we’ll help someone in the future.

To Tim Bosma’s friends, family, and community – my sympathy at your loss. When you had time to grieve and are ready to speak, just ask us – your community – for support, we’ll be there. Just say the word.

Postscript: I will livestream this afternoon’s 2:30pm Police investigative briefing. You can find it here.

A situation earlier today – that thankfully only resulted in minor injuries to a police officer – is a reminder of the stark reality that policing can be a dangerous career.

Hamilton Police issued the following statement to media at 8:18 p.m. Sunday night following the escape of a dangerous suspect from a crime scene earlier today.

Let’s get this dangerous suspect off our streets.

On 12th May 2013 two officers from Hamilton Police Service attended at 181 Jackson Street West to investigate a report of a threatening. As a result of information they received they attended an apt. in the building to speak to a potential suspect. Upon entering the apt. they observed drugs in plain view and began to place the suspect in to custody. A violent struggle ensued and the suspect was able to escape. Police recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from where the suspect had been seated, 37 grams of crack cocaine, and a small quantity of marihuana.

A 54 yr old Hamilton man will appear in court in Hamilton tomorrow charged with Possess unregistered restricted weapon
Possess restricted weapon with ammunition
Careless storage of a firearm
Possess crack cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
Possess marihuana

Police continue to search for a suspect described as male, black, 6’2, 220lbs, muscular build, 30yrs with multiple tattoos on his arms.

When identified and arrested he will face the same charges and additional charges of escape custody and assault a peace officer causing bodily harm.

The injured officer received 4 stitches to a facial wound and returned to duty.

Hamilton City Council is meeting Wednesday.

Highlights on the agenda:

• Letter from OLG President & CEO Rod Phillips’ about the casino issue
• Launching an investigation by the integrity commissioner into the Mayor’s alleged behaviour at the last Council meeting
• Appointing a new citizen member of the Police Services Board
• Possible discussion of funding cuts to the Children’s Aid Society
• Motion to change the governance of the Hamilton Police Service to be overseen by City Council
• Re-Affirmation of Council’s Position re specting Rapid Transit with Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the Eastgate to McMaster corridor as the Preferred Option

Casino letter

Ontario Lottery and Gaming President & CEO Rod Phillips’ wrote a response to Council’s resolution calling on the OLG to consider only the feasibilty of Flamboro Downs will be considered by Council.

Phillips’ response asks the City to provide a summary of the public input they’ve received – not just a listing of public input steps – and for the City to provide a list of specific conditions for a casino in Hamilton to be included in the Request for Pre-Qualifications that is expected to be issued by OLG this spring.

Integrity Investigation of Mayor’s Behaviour?

A motion put forth by Sam Merualla calls for the City’s integrity commissioner Earl Basse to investigate comments made by Mayor Bob Bratina to City Manager Chris Murray during the Council meeting two weeks ago.

Police Services Board Goverance

Councillor Sam Merulla is moving a motion calling on the province to change the structure of the Police Services Board(PSB) goverance to either have Council directly control the police services or to have a Police Board that is entirely appointed by City Council.

This follows a police budget process that witnessed Council motion for a hiring freeze at the HPS, send a 3.52% budget increase mandate to the PSB, and the PSB approve a budget with new hires in 2013.

New Citizen appointee to Police Services Board

Council is expected to approve a new appointment to the Police Services Board recommended by the Selection Committee. The appointment is to fill a vacancy resulting from the resignation of Jim Kay in January.
The name will be officially public after the meeting.

Funding Cuts to CAS

Council is looking to send the province a strong message about cuts to Children’s Aid Societies. The cuts are resulting in the Hamilton CAS laying off 70 staff – 20% of their workforce. This will result in pressure on other social services, and impact on the quality of life for children in Ontario.

Council asked the Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson to report on this and provide recommendations.

Reaffirmation of Council’s LRT position

Council will take a vote tonight to reaffirm their previous position on a provinically funded B-Line LRT

The Board of the Hamilton Future Fund will meet on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 2pm and the big item on the agenda is the proposed new Scott Park high school.

City Council is asking the future fund to consider funding for the new high school – funding that could possibly be used for the expropriation of the property.

Watch Live as the Future Fund Board meets to decide:

Agenda:

Future Fund Agenda – May 6, 2013

Hamilton City Council is meeting in General Issues Committee today with many items of city-wide importance on the agenda.

Overshadowing all of this will be an in-camera session about the Mayor’s alleged behaviour last Wednesday at Council towards the City Manager.

Also on deck – LRT funding plan, what tools are available to pay for it? Area rating – what is the real tax increase in your neighbourhood?

Joseph Scott Lewis, 56, of Hamilton / Hamilton Police Service Handout

Hamilton Police issued the following alert to media at 1:00 p.m. Monday:

The Hamilton Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 56- year-old Hamilton man.

Joseph Scott Lewis (photo attached) is currently wanted on warrants for Fail to Appear in Court and a Surety Revocation. Lewis was facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography, Production of Child Pornography and Importation of Child Pornography.

Lewis was initially arrested in November of 2012 and was released on a Recognizance.
Lewis’ bail was then revoked in late December. He then missed a subsequent court appearance.

The suspect is described as a white male, 56-years-old, approximately 5’7”ft, 163 lbs, medium build, grey hair, green eyes.

Police are asking if anyone knows of LEWIS’ whereabouts to notify the Hamilton Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit at 905-546-8911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Hamilton Police issued the following media release at 9:32 p.m. on April 27, 2013.

From the Hamilton Police Service

The Hamilton Police Service is seeking the assistance of the public in locating a missing Hamilton woman.

Kaila BAWDEN was reported missing to the Hamilton Police Service by her family. She was last seen on April 26th, 2013 in the south east area of downtown Hamilton. The Hamilton Police Service and her family are concerned for her well being and are asking for the help of the public in locating her.

Kaila is described as a white female, 18 yrs old, approximately 5’ 8” in height, 130 lbs, fair complexion, blonde hair in a ponytail and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing track pants, a burgundy hooded sweatshirt, a black jacket and black shoes.

Police are urging the public to call police immediately if Kaila is seen so that we may ensure that she is safe. The family does not have any indication where she may be.

Hamilton Police continue to investigate and we are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kaila BAWDEN to contact the Division One Staff Sergeant at 905-546-4725.

Hamilton City Council meets Wednesday for their regular meeting, but this one promises to be anything but routine following yet-another-round of misleading LRT comments by Mayor Bob Bratina. Expect Councillors to move motions and make comments in response to the Mayor.

The other major item is ratification of the City’s Pier 7 & 8 plans.

I’m on vacation this evening and Dan Jelly is manning the camera for me.