Friday, March 29, 2024

Timer

Hess Street officers

First Published:

The city is set to scrap a by-law forcing Hess Village bars to pay for extra policing during the patio season.

In 2010, council passed a by-law requiring all bars in Hess Village to pay for up to ten paid duty police officers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the busy patio season. Today the planning committee voted 7-2 in favour of a motion to eliminate the area’s entertainment district designation in the process scrapping the policing program.

Councillor Jason Farr says the “unique to Hamilton tax” unfairly punishes businesses. “As little as two years ago 15 establishments were splitting the costs. By the next year it was down to 9 or 10.”

That number has continued to dwindle, with more owners getting wise to bylaw loopholes. Some are adding seating and cutting late-night hours to be considered a restaurant, instead of a bar leaving only six bars to split a bill of $55,000 a year.

“Police will definitely still very much be policing Hess Village. They already do have mounted, they have action officers, they have beat, in addition to the paid duty compliment,” said Jason Farr.

City council will vote whether to approve the motion next Wednesday.

More Top News

Ontario school boards suing TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat

Four of Ontario's largest school boards are suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The boards are alleging the social media platforms...

Evening weather forecast for March 28, 2024

Shelly Marriage shares the forecast for March 28, 2024 and the days ahead.

Experts warn drivers to be careful on eclipse day

Researchers from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto are warning drivers to beware in the hours before and after the big solar eclipse on...

Premier Ford rejects Ottawa’s bill of rights and protection funds for tenants

Premier Doug Ford is going along with the Quebec government in rejecting Ottawa's attempt to help renters. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave...

Hamilton mayor intends to use strong mayor powers for affordable housing

Residents and businesses near two Stoney Creek parking lots are disappointed after Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath decided to use her strong mayor powers to...

Date set for inquest into death of man during Halton police shootout in 2018

A provincial coroner has set a date for an inquest into a man's death after a shootout with Halton police almost six years ago. Ahmadu...