Lengthy standoff continues after man barricades himself in home

For more than 24 hours police worked to negotiate with a man in “distress” who barricaded himself inside a central Hamilton home.

Police, including a crisis negotiator, worked through the night trying to convince the man to peacefully come outside of the East Avenue North home after first responding around 3 p.m. Wednesday. By Thursday morning Niagara police relieved the tired Hamilton officers, including a new negotiator and tactical officers.

It’s not unheard of for negotiations like this to last more than a day. As of late Thursday evening, the situation still wasn’t resolved.

At the scene police closed off a short block on the residential street between Barton and Robert streets. There were no flashing lights or armed officers ready to storm in, but rather Hamilton police cruisers blocking each end of the road and one sitting out front of the home.

Tactical officers and an ambulance quietly waited around back in case anything escalated.

The man was believed to be in the home alone, so police said they were waiting him out.

Police would not talk about negotiation tactics or what the man may have said to officers throughout the ordeal. But Const. Jerome Stewart said there was no public safety threat and that the situation was “contained.”

“We’re working toward a safe resolution,” he said at the scene Thursday morning. “Public safety and the safety of this gentleman are paramount for us.”

Police were called to the singlefamily home on East Avenue North around 3 p.m. Wednesday and found a man in “distress,” he said.

Stewart said “time is on our side” and that police would not force their way in unless the situation change.

“We are not concerned at this point that there is a safety issue for the public,” he said.

It wasn’t clear if he has a weapon, which is why tactical officers remained at the scene.

“Any barricade situation we would call in tactical,” Stewart said.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact central criminal investigation branch detectives at 905-546-3816.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477 or submit your tips online.

CATHIE COWARD, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Police on the scene continue negotiating with a man barricaded in a home on East Avenue North, between Barton and Robert streets.

CATHIE COWARD, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Const. Jerome Stewart talks to media at the scene of the standoff, in which police are biding their time until a man comes out of a home.