HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1966-09-08, Page 3YOUR WEEKLY SMILE
"For pity's sake, Herb, you talk as if you were the
only one in your office with dishpan hands."
Keep That Smile
BE SURE YOU INSURE
with
M. J. Geiser W. H. Hodgson J. A. Kneale
General Insce. — Real Estate
A DISTRAV1HT WOMAN ASKS POLICEMAN FOR ASSISTANCE
September 84 1966 Pao" 3'
THE WINDOW IN THIS CAR WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY BROKEN A FELLOW CAN GET CHOKED UP ON THAT STUFF
Whatever the reason . . . resort had trouble!
THE SIGN BEHIND THE OFFICER ON THE RIGHT
SAYS "WELCOME", BUT THESE
TWO HOLIDAYERS FIND IT'S MISLEADING
THIS UNIDENTIFIED YOUTH WAS THE ONLY ONE
PREPARED FOR THE TEAR GAS —HE BROUGHT
ALONG HIS OWN GAS MASK
A lack of accommodations; too
strict policing; a general attitude
of defiance for the law; sensa-
tional reporting by news media
--these are the things being
cited by people as the reasons
for four outbreaks in Grand Bend
this past summer.
The most serious of the dis-
turbances by a large crowd of
youths took place on Saturday
and Sunday and wasn't halted un-
til police dispersed the crowd
with tear gas and large riot
sticks.
On both nights, police herded
the youths out of town and pre-
vented motorists from entering.
During the wild melees, bottles,
rocks and cherry bombs were
tossed at police. Windows were
broken. Photographers were
threatened by youths and busi-
nessmen. Some people went hy-
sterical. Five youths ended up
in jail. Three policemen receiv-
ed minor injuries. Grand Bend's
troubles were carried nationally
by news media.
In the words of one officer on
duty: "I've never seen anything
like it".
The Saturday night trouble ap-
parently stemmed from the fact
many youths became hostile when
a Windsor youth was taken into
custody on ,a,charge,of drinking
under age.
His companions started taking
a collection among passersby to
bail him ouil and they shouted
taunts at the police.
The latter didn't make any
move until pop bottles started
flying through windows. They then
raced onto the street and sent
the youths scattering.
With some 35 officers on hand,
they quickly dispelled the crowd
as the tear gas proved an effec-
tive "persuader" for any who
failed to heed their demands to
clear the streets.
Supervising the police work
was Superintendent A. E. Ayers,
who drove from his London home
when reports of the outbreak
reached him.
He reported later that his men
did "a swell job".
On Sunday night, the police in
the resort were backed up by
over 100 officers on standby in
the area and when trouble arose,
they quickly took control of the
situation before it reached Sat-
urday night's proportions.
EXPECTED IT
Many of the people in the resort
expected the Saturday night out-
breaks, as shouts of "let's have
a riot" were heard throughout the
night before the disturbance ac-
tually took place.
One youth in particular was
really ready. He even brought
his own gas mask, although he
was obviously the only one who
expected police to use tear gas
to control the youths.
Discussion of the incident fail-
ed to consume much time at the
Grand Bend council meeting,
Tuesday.
Councillors did, however,
quash rumours that they had in
any way instructed the police on
how to carry out their duties.
"We never ever told them how
to do their work," commented
Emmerson Desjardine, chairmen
of the police committee.
Reeve Ory Wassmann pointed
out council has worked closely
with the police, but never told
them how to do it. "When the
blue coats came in (meaningOPP
officials and Sup't. A. E. Ayers)
they took over completely".
The contract between the On-
tario Police Commission and the
resort clearly states that the
police at Grand Bend shall be
under the complete control of the
Ontario Police Commission.
THE CLEANUP OF BROKEN GLASS GETS UNDERWAY
SHORTLY AFTER THE OUTBREAK
THE TEAR GAS MADE PEOPLE HUSTLE
VICTORIA: 4i
GREY TR
GUARA
INVEST
CERTIFI
6 Vs 0
INTEREST PAYABLE 1/2 YEARLY
OR
MAY BE LEFT TO ACCUMULATE
AND COMPOUND YEARLY
VICTORIA and GREY TRUST
235.0530 A.J. LOADER, Manager TER
OFFICERS TELL MOTORISTS TO STAY OUT OF RESORT ANOTTIER MAST OF TEAR OAS SCATTERS CROWD