The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has released a summary of its Canada Day enforcement efforts following a busy night in Oakville’s Bronte Heritage Park.
The department had taken proactive steps to ensure public safety on Tuesday, July 1st, particularly around the popular fireworks event that drew an estimated 30,000 attendees.
In advance of the festivities, HRPS implemented a range of safety measures, including deploying video surveillance in key areas, closing certain roads and businesses early, and establishing a command post supported by additional patrols. These efforts were communicated to the public through social media channels in the days leading up to the event.
While the majority of attendees celebrated responsibly, police say large groups of youth began gathering along Lakeshore Road – outside the official event site – before the fireworks display. As night fell, fireworks were illegally and dangerously discharged within this crowd, prompting officers to intervene and disperse the group to ensure public safety.
Two unnamed youths were arrested: a 16-year-old charged with possession of a weapon (bear spray) and a 15-year-old charged with causing a disturbance and violating a municipal fireworks by-law.
Police are reviewing additional video, some of which has been provided by members of the public, in an attempt to identify others responsible for acts of public disorder. Those with footage who wish to submit it to police may do so via email to Staff Sergeant Gus Bistas, 2 District Community Mobilization Bureau at Gus.Bistas@haltonpolice.ca.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
