Masked vandals rampage through Hamilton
$100K IN DAMAGES
Group smashes windows of businesses
HAMILTON • A band of masked vandals describing themselves as “ungovernables” roamed through a stretch Hamilton Saturday night, hurling rocks at small businesses and causing up to $100,000 in damage, police said.
Cafes, stores and vehicles along a roughly one-kilometre stretch of road took the brunt of the damage as between 20 and 30 people marched along the route.
Police Insp. Paul Hamilton said the group, clad in black, sporting masks and carrying a banner saying “we are the ungovernables,” mobilized at a local park before taking to the streets shortly before 10 p.m. Police were called to the park after reports that people were spraypainting messages in the area, he said, adding some officers witnessed as the situation quickly escalated.
“As they went along the street, they damaged some vehicles that were parked on the street, threw some rocks at some homes, set off some fireworks,” he said. “Then they got onto Locke Street … which is heavily populated by restaurants and cafés, and threw rocks through windows of a number of the businesses there.”
The chaos on the street caused anxiety inside many restaurants fielding busy Saturday night crowds, said Tony Greco, chair of the Locke Street Business Improvement Area. Patrons hid under tables as they listened to glass shattering and bangs echoing through the neighbourhood.
Although no one was injured, Hamilton said police received about 10 reports of mischief and estimate total damages of about $100,000 so far.
Greco said that can take a significant toll on the sorts of independent operations involved in Saturday’s vandalism.
“Insurance covers a certain amount. It puts a big dent in a small business,” he said.
The vandalism came as a particular shock to local outfit Donut Monster, which just opened its doors as a retailer about two months ago after extensive renovations.
Owner Reuben Vanderkwaak said he arrived at the shop late Saturday night to find at least half the newly installed windows shattered inside the shop and what appeared to be landscaping stones lying nearby.
He said several other storefronts in the area appear to have been similarly hard-hit.
“Violent actions don’t communicate very well,” he said. “I wanted an opportunity for people to come together and actually communicate in a peaceful way and … try to bring some reconciliation to whatever issues are at hand.”
Hamilton said police have made no arrests in the case, adding the arrival of nearly 30 officers sent marchers scattering, shedding clothing along the way. He said police did not know details about the makeup of the group, including the ages or genders of its members. He said police are combing through evidence from the scene as well as surveillance footage from local businesses.