Hamilton police investigating 100-person house party in Flamborough
Hamilton police say they are investigating a house party with more than 100 people at a rental property in Flamborough this past weekend.
Police spokesperson Jackie Penman told The Spectator that officers were called to a loud" party at a rental home at 1046 Highway 6 in Flamborough around 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.
On scene, Penman said attendees began scrambling to leave" once officers arrived. They estimated there were approximately 100 to 200 people attending the party at the residential property.
Penman said no charges were laid by either police or bylaw officers but responders were able to identify some" individuals.
The investigation into the party is ongoing and Penman said police are looking to identify the host in order to hold them accountable under the Reopening Ontario Act."
Penman said the incident Sunday morning was not the first time police had been called to the address for an illegal gathering. She also confirmed that the property, which police have previously labelled as a short-term rental, has gone by the name of Party Villa.
Officers were called to a party on the property in the early hours of March 4. Once on scene, they found between 10 and 15 cars parked out front of the house and about 50 people inside. At that time, police laid 11 charges - eight under the Reopening Ontario Act and three under the Highway Traffic Act.
Just the day before, on March 3, city bylaw officers had also laid nine illegal gathering charges at the property, according to the city's online list of alleged COVID-19 rule breakers.
City of Hamilton licensing manager Monica Ciriello told The Spectator that the city had connected with Airbnb to ensure that this property is off their platform." She also described it as a rental home.
Charlie Urbancic, a spokesperson with Airbnb, confirmed the listing had been permanently removed in early March for violating our party ban." All reservations were cancelled, Urbancic added.
In the city's COVID-19 response update Monday, Paul Johnson, director of the city's Emergency Operations Centre, reminded the public that these things shouldn't be happening."
One of the property owners reached by The Spectator said they rent the property for personal gatherings for a small number of people" for one to two nights. The Spectator was unable to confirm the owners' name.
To rent the property, he said they charge a high" deposit in case the renter doesn't follow the rules." He said they have no idea how to stop" the large gatherings.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, said the news of the party is very concerning" considering the third wave the city is currently experiencing.
The city moved to the province's grey zone of the pandemic framework on Monday morning, but over the weekend Hamilton was still in red. Indoor gatherings were restricted to five people, while outdoor gatherings were capped at 25.
It's definitely disappointing," said Richardson. We're really hoping that ... people will make more sensible decisions during this time for themselves, for their family members and for our community."
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com