Crystal Beach standoff spans five hours
A man involved in an armed standoff with police in Crystal Beach on Thursday surrendered some five hours after the morning drama began.
Multiple units from Niagara Regional Police, with assistance from Halton Police Service, surrounded a home on Brunswick Avenue after being called about a male in crisis at the home.
Police responded to the area after a neighbour called police.
Several roads in the area were closed for much of the day after police responded at about 7: 20 a. m.
The suspect will be facing weapons- related charges but his identity had not been released by police before press time.
“The male surrendered without incident,” said media relations officer Const. Phil Gavin, who said the suspect complained of medical issues he is experiencing.
Crisis negotiators, the NRP emergency task unit and canine unit played roles in the investigation.
Police evacuated nearby homes and advised people in the neighbourhood who remained on their properties to take shelter, stay away from windows and to go into their basements.
A nearby Tim Hortons remained open for business but an Avondale convenience store much closer to the action was on “lockdown” during the standoff, an employee said afternoon once the heavy police presence thinned out.
Two police cruisers sat in the driveway of the Brunswick Avenue home, which is for sale, at about 4 p. m.
A woman in the house directly next to the scene of the standoff declined offering a comment to a reporter.
Linda Huffman, a crossing guard in the area, said she was a little “uptight” when she was on duty from 8 a. m. to 9: 10 a. m., very soon after police arrived to deal with the situation.
“It was a little frightening,” she said.
However, ensuring the safety of the students she helped in the morning was her priority, she said. Huffman’s goal was to do everything she could to keep them away from danger, she said.
“I didn’t feel threatened — I just worried about the kids,” she said, also pointing out that police were very helpful assisting with children who were walking along Ridgeway Road.
Students heading to St. George Catholic Elementary School were told to walk up Derby Road to Wellington Road in order to get to their morning classes. Those headed to John Brant Public School in Ridgeway were directed to walk down Roxborough Avenue to Ridge Road.
Rosanne Sandel, principal at St. George, said the school was in communication with parents throughout the day, recess was held indoor, and the students were “very safe” as the scene unfolded about a kilometre away.
Niagara Catholic District School Board offered a statement on the incident.
“We’re very proud of how staff at St. George Catholic Elementary School dealt with the situation in Crystal Beach today,” it said.
“There was no risk to students and staff did an outstanding job throughout the shelter- in- place, particularly providing regular updates to parents. We’re also grateful to the NRPS, who showed a great deal of professionalism throughout the incident.”