Opening comments: More at the end.
Click here for the full list of letters, events and other details about the complaints and how the City is mishandling them.
After all, having the proof that the City of Mississauga's security edited and destroyed evidence in a criminal case is very special, indeed!
Mississauga City hall
ATTN: Jamie Hillis - City Security Operations
ATTN: Cathie Evens - City Security Operations
300 City Centre Drive,
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3C1
RE: A list of items that City security needs to changes its practices on to ensure the fair, just and lawful treatment of
all members of the public.
Dear Sir: June 4, 2008
The following is a list of items that needs review and action taken on. These items are the result of how I was unfairly / unlawfully treated and how others have been treated by City security. Remember, that regarding the criminal case against me the Crown had so little faith in City security’s claims that it withdrew all the charges and efforts at a Peace Bond failed - in a set of circumstances where it was just my word against two City security, one being female (who alleged the assault against her). That case was based entirely on claims by City security, the evidence they presented / controlled and many say should not have failed, if it were not for glaring errors.
A). On Mar. 26, City Council appeared most interested in the issue of City security editing and destroying evidence that the Peel police requested was an issue in my complaints that Ms. Bench tried to dismiss. Correct me if I am wrong, but City security are not the judges of what will be allowed in a Court case or to used by the Peel police or the Defence in a criminal case. It is not their role to edit video or other records but to supply what the Peel police or Defence request. Therefore: City security should never to edit or destroy any video evidence or other evidence that is in any way connected to a criminal matter.
B). City security never informed me that it only retains its videos for 5 days, then tapes over them - this resulted in tapes being destroyed before a request could be made for them. Therefore: City security should inform everyone who has a dispute with the City, criminal, banning, etc., that they have only 5 days to request the video tapes or they will be destroyed and provide a reasonable means to grant access to the tapes or put them on hold.
- 1 - ....2
C). I was not fully informed as to the options of appeal that the City has for persons banned from its property, after being banned. Therefore: City security should inform everyone who has a dispute with the City, criminal, banning, etc., in writing, exactly why they are banned and what they can do about it.
D). I made requests for copies of the banning notice from the City, that were not delivered to me after being released from prison but the City did not supply a replacement copy. Therefore: City security needs to respond to such a reasonable request ASAP to ensure any member of the public as all the correct documents to work with in their defence.
E). In general, a number of letters / faxes were sent to City security asking for necessary records / evidence for the noted Court case but City security did not respond. This shows a clear bias and prejudice against the poor and self represented persons before the Courts. This can also be seen as a form of political bias and prejudice. It is a well known fact that justice delayed, is justice denied, the same holds true to means to defend one’s self. This is doubly important as taxpayers are watching how politically active persons and community representatives are suffering political persecution in Canadian Courts because the City edits and destroys the evidence needed for a fair and just trial. The public needs to see no wrong doing or abuse of power by City security, especially towards those who politically opposed the Mayor or been known to question City hall plans in general. Therefore: City security needs to fully respond to all letters and requests, ASAP, in the noted circumstances and provide all avenues to get the need records / evidence for a fair trial and judgement.
F). There are serious questions regarding the properly training of City security staff as to the Municipal Act and City’s own By-laws on how Council meeting are held / governed, so our Democratic rights will not be lost to some eager beaver trying to impress members of Council by removing someone who questions them but otherwise is playing by the rules. Therefore: City security need to ensure all members of its force know full well the rules of how City Council holds it meetings and that it is up to the Elected officials to decide who is out of order. That the public has similar rights of access to all City buildings and property. Not to be order off City property or out of City buildings or banned from either or both of the former, as the preferred method to deal with most situations.
G). Recently, a City security guard has accosted me claiming there is a rule prohibiting the taking of flash pictures in Council. Therefore: City security needs to confirm if there is or is not such a rule prohibiting flash photograph in Council chamber, then fully inform me as to these details. If not, inform City security to cease & desist from trying to create a confrontation by ordering me around for taking flash pictures in Council.
- 3 -
H). It has been discovered that City security video cameras work on a system that creates a video record that is very, very hard to copy for the purpose of supplying copies for Court cases or to the public for FOI requests. That there is no means to cover in some way the faces of other persons for FOI requests and the City has no business to preform that service so it is denying access to video records by not providing a service it should. Therefore: City security needs to find ways to correct these deficiencies by spending its budget on the equipment to sever the public and not on putting video cameras every where that create video records the public is denied access to or made very hard to copies to the records they have a right to.
Given the importance of this matter, I will expect a reply to this letter by June 25 or will consider that there will be no meaningful action to have taken place. If that be the case, then other appropriate action will be considered.
Please be sure to use my full first name on all correspondence and addressing envelopes, as there is another D. Barber at this address. I am willing to discuss my letter with you. My phone number is (905) ***-**** & e-mail watcher0I0@eol.ca.
Sincerely yours - Mr. Donald Barber, President, FCB & Chair, CRRA.
Home Page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a page - Back to Top
[COMMENTS BY DON B. - ]