BARRIE, ONT. Barrie s police chief urges residents to stay home and avoid participating in an anti-lockdown protest planned for Saturday in the Sadlon Arena parking lot. This event is unlawful and irresponsible and is definitely not supported by the Barrie Police Service, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the City of Barrie, Chief Kimberley Greenwood said in a pre-recorded video posted to YouTube. The protests bring hundreds of people together, many not wearing face masks or social distancing as per provincial requirements. Anti-lockdown demonstrations had been occurring on Saturdays at Meridian Place until the city installed fencing to deter the large crowds. In response, the organizer moved the event to Centennial Park.
BARRIE, ONT. Ontario Provincial Police have laid criminal charges against a Barrie, Ont. police officer in connection with a violent arrest that was caught on video in February. The OPP conducted an independent investigation at the request of the Barrie police chief and on Thursday announced 46-year-old Const. Jason Stamp had been charged with assault and assault with a weapon. The OPP said the torrent of punches and a blow to a longboarder s head with a stun gun wasn t police work. It was criminal. Skyler Kent was the man on the receiving end of Stamp s fury after he ran a red light on his longboard.
BARRIE, ONT. Barrie police will attend a demonstration planned for Saturday at Meridian Place and suggest those attending reconsider their plans. The anti-lockdown rallies have drawn hundreds downtown who are opposed to the current provincial COVID-19 restrictions. Police say the protests to date have been peaceful, but large gatherings are not permitted under the stay-at-home order as these types of crowds could serve as a source of transmission for the virus. Barrie police warn participants could face fines. We know that most of our community are doing their best to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to keep people healthy and to end the restrictions as quick as possible. We thank those that are following the rules and respecting public health recommendations, says Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood.
BARRIE, ONT. The Ontario provincial police are appealing for witnesses to a violent arrest in Barrie s downtown. The OPP started investigating the incident that happened on Dunlop Street on Feb. 4 at Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood s request. Video of the arrest taken by a bystander was widely circulated on social media and showed a Barrie police officer trying to detain a 20-year-old man. The officer struggled on the ground with the man while holding what appeared to be a stun gun and hit the man s head with the device. The video doesn t show what lead up to the arrest.