Sherkston Shores violence ‘concerning’
Tackling problems at private resort ‘more of a police issue,’ not responsibility of the city, says Port Colborne mayor
Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele wears two hats when it comes to offering insight on how recent problems at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores can be dealt with.
One of them is him being the head of city council, the other him sitting on the Niagara Regional Police services board.
On Victoria Day weekend, a 22-year-old man was stabbed at the resort and campground along Lake Erie, which sits on close to 230 hectares of land, and next to about four kilometres of beachfront, according to its website.
A draft report by the city in early 2022 said Sherkston Shores has a population of about 20,000 people at its busiest times.
Steele said in a recent interview that the municipality has a responsibility to address traffic issues caused in the far east area of Port Colborne, where the park sits, but added it doesn’t play much of a role in addressing acts of violence and rowdiness.
“That, to me, is more of a police issue,” said Steele.
“As far as what goes on inside Sherkston Shores — it’s their property.”
However, “it is concerning” to Steele, city council and staff, he said, adding he has learned the resort is working on measures to improve issues involving people entering the property who are not legitimate guests.
Sherkston Shores is owned by Sun Retreats, a U.S.-based company.
Dareck Stevenson, general manager at the local resort and campground, has not responded to voicemails left for him.
A recent petition said the stabbing victim was trying to protect young girls who were being harassed. It also claims “security stayed in their cars honking their horns while he was beaten as they are not equipped to deal with this level of violence.”
‘‘ As far as what goes on inside Sherkston Shores — it’s their property.
BILL STEELE PORT COLBORNE MAYOR
The petition, which had close to 1,000 signatures Sunday, also said “there are hundreds of people” entering the resort by hopping fences and at the front gate, as well as by nearby Pleasant Beach.
The city owns and maintains Pleasant Beach, a 20-metrelong road allowance also used as a public beach, which is divided from the resort’s property.
It’s up to the resort, not the city, to explore the possibility of a greater barricade in the area to impede “fence jumpers,” said Steele.
Increased police presence at the resort is an operational issue, not so much a matter the police board would get too involved in.
“We’re not going to direct them to do anything. That’s not our job,” he said, adding it is still possible for the board to ask for updates from the NRP’s top brass on activity at Sherkston Shores.
“I’m sure we could discuss it at a meeting,” he said.
The petition is pushing for high-definition cameras to be installed at basketball courts, the “main Fun Plex” and front access gates, with signage indicating there are cameras.
Petitioners are also asking for a police presence for every long weekend and every weekend throughout the summer, as well as extra patrols.
Extra lighting at basketball courts is something they hope to see implemented.
Strict enforcement for residents and guests to wear wristbands and have passes readily available upon entry to the resort is another issue the petition wants addressed.
“The Niagara Regional Police are aware of the concerns and is in communication with the municipality as well as community partners to ensure the ongoing safety of persons attending the area,” said District Commander Staff-Sgt. Phil Licskai in a statement last week.
“Uniform officers will continue to proactively patrol and respond to calls for service as required,” he said.
In June 2020, a video of a large brawl on the beach at Sherkston Shores circulated on social media.
In that video, a man was shown throwing a beer bottle at another man before he was tackled to the ground. A man was also seen with blood pouring from his head while sitting in the sand.