Hamilton makes student patrol program permanent following pilot

A pilot project that saw Mohawk College co-op students patrolling the neighbourhoods near McMaster University to enforce property maintenance rules has been made permanent by Hamilton politicians. After months of complaints from homeowners about litter, uncut lawns, and late-night noise in select neighbourhoods, Hamilton Councillor Aidan Johnson suggested in December 2016 that the city hire students to conduct limited bylaw enforcement. 736 orders were issued by two Mohawk students during the pilot project, according to Hamilton bylaw enforcement coordinator Kelly Barnett, and the program’s costs were covered by fines and fees. The Spectator discusses the concerns that other city councillors have raised around the legality and ethics of the program. Hamilton Spectator