A Jewish group in Hamilton is requesting police protection services at no cost after spending over $200,000 on security measures since October 7th. The Hamilton Jewish Federation (HJF) has been paying for off-duty police officers to guard schools and synagogues due to safety concerns following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, the cost is becoming unsustainable for the community. The HJF is now asking the police to provide protection without charging the group.
Hamilton police have been providing special attention to places of worship and religious schools for both the Jewish and Muslim communities since Chief Frank Bergen announced the initiative last month. However, the Hamilton Jewish Federation believes that the fear within the community is still prevalent, leading them to request free police protection services.
According to recent reports, Hamilton police documented 26 hate crimes and incidents between October 7th, 2023 and January 12th, 2024. Out of those incidents, 21 targeted the Jewish community, while the remaining five targeted the Muslim community. The incidents included bomb threats, graffiti, and threats, and the numbers already surpass the total anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim occurrences reported in all of 2022.
The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre introduced an online reporting tool in 2023 to address hate crimes that community members may not feel comfortable reporting to the police. Although the data from this tool is not yet available, incidents of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian sentiment related to the Gaza-Israel conflict have been observed both online and in the community since October 7th.
Jason Waxman, the President of the Hamilton Jewish Federation, expressed his concern about the rise in anti-Semitism in Hamilton. He noted that while he did not experience anti-Semitism growing up in the city, the recent conflict has heightened feelings of fear and insecurity within the Jewish community. Waxman emphasized that data from 2017 onwards consistently shows that Jewish people are the most targeted religious group in Hamilton.
Waxman revealed that the Hamilton Jewish Federation has raised almost $600,000 from within the community since October 7th to implement additional security measures, including fencing, cameras, concrete fixtures, and bullet-proof vests for volunteer security. Although hiring private security might be more cost-effective, Waxman explained that the presence of armed police officers acts as a deterrent for potential incidents.
The Hamilton police website provides cost details for hiring officers, with one constable averaging at $320 for a minimum of three hours. The addition of a police vehicle or multiple officers may involve additional costs. Waxman brought the request for more police protection to the police services board meeting on January 25th. Deputy Chief Ryan Diodati assured the board that police are monitoring locations of concern closely and increasing patrols.
Javid Mirza, the President of the Muslim Association of Hamilton, stated that the Muslim community has also experienced increased patrols from the police and heightened security at mosques since the conflict in Gaza began. Mirza mentioned that the police cover the cost of providing a cruiser for pick-up and drop-off times at the mosque’s connected school. While Mirza believes hiring paid duty officers would be too expensive, he encourages community members to be vigilant, report concerns to the police, and build connections with one another to combat hate.
The Hamilton Police Service is currently reviewing Waxman’s concerns and evaluating how to accommodate the increased demand for protection services in the city. The police budget for 2024 has been sent back to the board for further review. Mayor Andrea Horwath, who sits on the board, intends to discuss and address Waxman’s concerns in an upcoming meeting.
The request for free police protection services reflects the pressing need for increased security within the Hamilton Jewish community due to rising anti-Semitic incidents. The community hopes that a comprehensive and timely response will ensure the safety of its members and alleviate the financial burden of hiring off-duty police officers. With hate crimes on the rise, authorities and community leaders are working together to address these concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Hamilton.
