The Hamilton Police Service contracted 2,181 Paid Duty events in 2024, up from
1,911 events in 2023 (a 14.13 percent increase), with HPS charging $3,499,066.16 last year. $982,599.18 of this amount is non-salary administrative fees and recovery costs.
In his annual paid duties report, Hamilton Chief of Police Frank Bergen wrote that the 14.13 percent increase is the result of numerous factors, including McDonald’s Restaurants hiring more paid duty officers.
“In early 2024, the Paid Duty office saw an increase in requests from McDonald’s and the Jewish Federation,” the report states.
The Police Service Board accepted the annual report on Friday without comment.
There have been numerous incidents of youth offenders using bear spray in attacks and robberies throughout Hamilton, with a number of them occurring inside McDonald’s locations.
Last week, Hamilton Police highlighted two youth offender arrests involving possession of bear spray.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: March 30, 2025
Last updated: March 30, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
McDonalds is a disaster after 9pm. It turns into a club for underage youth.