Another 'elaborate' hole, generator found under Gage Park encampment, say Hamilton police

Hamilton police have uncovered another large hole in Gage Park after discovering a deep trench and series of tunnels earlier this week.  

The newly discovered, T-shaped hole runs over 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres feet deep, said Const. Trevor McKenna on Thursday. 

Inside was a generator and wires, he told reporters at the site. A tent and wooden pallet sat on top, obscuring the hole. 

Officers arrested and charged one person with mischief, McKenna said. The person was also wanted on a warrant by police in another jurisdiction, he said. 

"It's damage to property first and foremost," said McKenna. "And especially with the wiring, it's a safety issue." 

The day before, police had found a two-metre-deep hole that was part of a make-shift power system.

Encampment residents had run extension cords from their tents, through the hole and tunnels to a buried generator, which was then connected to a wires from a city light post, police had said in a news release. 

A different person was arrested and charged for that damage, police said. 

'Digging was well hidden:' councillor

The first discovery Tuesday prompted officers to check other tents at the park on Thursday, McKenna said.

They entered an empty tent, where they found the other hole and generator, he said. It wasn't connected to the other system but was "elaborate." 

He said police will now be on the lookout for similar set ups elsewhere in the city. Meanwhile, the city is expanding its shelter system in an attempt to reduce encampments in parks — as directed by Mayor Andrea Horwath last summer.

Coun. Nrinder Nann, who represents the lower city ward, said people are upset this week about the damage at the "beloved" park and have been asking how the "intricate network of trenches" wasn't discovered sooner. 

While city housing staff visit encampments often, "the digging was well hidden," she said in an emailed statement to CBC Hamilton.

City staff have assessed the damage and will be making repairs, she added.

Encampment residents were made to leave the impacted areas, but were free to relocate elsewhere in the park, McKenna said Thursday.