Changes coming after beach brawl results in charges
Port Weller’s Sunset Beach is no longer a hidden gem after fight broke out involving bear spray and a knife
Two St. Catharines residents face assault charges after an altercation at Sunset Beach Sunday night in the north end of the city sent one woman to hospital.
Niagara Regional Police laid the charges after three people were sprayed with bear spray, and a suspect brandished a knife.
Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated two victims at the scene and transferred a woman to hospital for further treatment. Police said the injuries were not life-threatening.
“When you mix drinking with the hot sun, sooner or later, you will have trouble,” a neighbour said. “I wouldn’t say there are problems every day, but, now and again, it can get a little rowdy.”
Grantham Ward Coun. Bill Phillips attended a city hall meeting about the beach Monday with the mayor, fire chief, senior staff and fellow ward Coun. Dawn Dodge. Phillips said everyone is concerned.
“We view it as a problem,” he said. “It’s a problem we want to solve
without too much of an impact on the people who enjoy the beach responsibly.”
In the short term, Phillips said, the city will likely move to close the beach earlier in the evening.
“It’s Sunset Beach, so we want people to enjoy the sunset, but we had to break up a big party in May, and now this fight,” he said.
The city has asked police to step up patrols.
“Sunday, we had our city traffic enforcement down there ticketing and towing vehicles,” Phillips said. “Our tickets are only $30. If you go to a beach in Toronto, you pay $50 for parking for the day. People are saying, ‘I’ll take the ticket.’
“In Wainfleet, the tickets are $100. I’m not saying we are going to do that, but we have to do something in the short term and look for long-term solutions.”
The beach was renamed in 2015 — it was Municipal Beach
— and features a 360-metre stretch of sand on Lake Ontario and a boat launch. There are also beach volleyball courts and other amenities.
“We have created a bit of a monster down here,” Phillips said.
“It’s a great spot, but the people who live down here are taking the brunt of this. On a weekend afternoon, it’s crazy, and getting worse.”
Another neighbour said as the situation deteriorated in Port Dalhousie with flood damage and the closure of the piers, more people are using Sunset Beach.
“Yesterday (Sunday) was as busy as I’ve ever seen it,” he said. “The water was filled with boats and Jet Skis.”
Mackenzie Benard, 22, is charged with assault, administering a noxious substance, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.
Sasha Smith, 23, is charged with assault.
Both were released with a Sept. 1 court date.