OPP Crime Unit investigating bypass blockade: McLean

Police will play important Role during bridge repairs

By Bill Jackson
Regional News

May 7, 2008

Haldimand OPP Detachment Commander Dave McLean says that the OPP Crime Unit is investigating crimes committed during the recent native road blockade on the Highway 6 bypass/

The Regional News asked him what the difference was between native protesters who blocked the bypass and Caledonia residents who were warned as to the potential charges that could be laid against them for blocking public thoroughfares during a car convoy to Queen's Park in 2007.

His answer was that there is no difference.

He said the OPP is investigating the bypass closure as well as the damage caused to property. He also said the OPP is investigating incidents that occurred during the four-and-a-half day blockade, including 35 ATVs that were driven dangerously, compromising safety on public roads. Charges are pending.

In a letter to Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Michael Bryant, dated April 29, Elected Six Nations Chief Bill Montour thanked the Minister for his "intervention" in police action on Saturday, April 26, 2008.

"This intervention, I believe, prevented many people from being injured," the letter said.

Montour also pointed out that the OPP closed the bypass and Rail Link before any "direct action" was taken by the Haudenosaunee Men's Council. The highway was only barricaded on Saturday evening after the OPP had threatened to make arrests, he contends.

"During the early evening of (that) Saturday, an OPP camera vehicle was driving past the campsite taking pictures of individuals," Montour said in the  letter. "The people believe that this action by the OPP was initiated to be able to identify certain individuals for future charges to be laid.

"It is the firm belief of the people of Six Nations that we each have a duty to protect the land and the people of the Haudenosaunee. This solidarity blockade was not about individuals or any other activities that may be construed as criminal…

"Charging individuals for standing up, peacefully, to protect the people of a sister community and their rights does not warrant formal charges of a criminal nature. This can only exacerbate an already tenuous situation."

Montour asked Bryant to intervene and ask the OPP not to lay charges.

McLean was at a council meeting in Cayuga on Monday to update council on several initiatives including the OPP's Lock It or Lose It campaign, following a rash of automobile break-ins across the county. He also spoke about upcoming events related to Police Week and was questioned on the OPP's plans to deal with traffic in Caledonia this summer while the Argyle bridge is repaired.

The bypass blockade gave police the opportunity to test what they think will happen during bridge repairs should another blockade occur, he said.

McLean said the police will play an active role in putting contingency plans and detours in place because they are used to dealing with such plans in the event of an accident or similar short-term traffic disruption.

The OPP is looking at options for all situations, not just road blockades. It's hard to say what the OPP would do if the bypass was blocked again, he acknowledged, stressing that the main goal is to maintain the peace.

Along with Haldimand County staff, the Ministry of Transportation will be looking at several contingency plans. Traffic moving over the Argyle Bridge will be reduced to one southbound lane at the end of this month, a condition that will be in place until next winter.

If the bypass is closed during bridge repairs, north-bound traffic will be forced to utilize 4^th Line, McKenzie Road and River Road to cross the York Bridge on Haldimand Road 9. Heavy truck traffic moving south-bound across the river will be detoured down Greens Road to McClung and down Highway 54 to York. Other heavy truck traffic will use Highway 3 and the Cayuga bridge to cross the river.

The MTO is attempting to communicate with Nanticoke Industries through the Ontario Trucking Association regarding the bridge repairs and detours . Haldimand Council asked staff to consider a Chiefswood road crossing on Six Nations and other detour options are being contemplated, according to the MTO.