'Total shock’

Bouncers across Thunder Bay are facing fines up to $25,000 and a year in prison after a Friday night sweep of local bars by the OPP’s anti-rackets branch. 

The raids targeted seven bars in the city, and are likely to continue, said OPP Det. Staff-Sgt. Rick LePage.

“Charges were carried out at every establishment,” LePage said, reached by phone on Monday afternoon.

“We didn’t come across one licensed security guard.”

Under provincial regulations, established in 2007, security guards at bars and other establishments must have a valid license issued by the province, and must wear a proper uniform that clearly identifies them as security personnel.

LePage, who said he couldn’t name any of the establishments raided, as the investigation is still ongoing and more charges are expected, said the Private Security and Investigative Services Act was put in place to protect both the public and the security guards.

It was a direct result of the 1999 death of Patrick Shand, who the coroner later said died of suffocation after being apprehended by security guards outside a Scarborough Loblaws on suspicion of shoplifting.

In total, police officers laid 188 charges in conjunction with the PSISA, including 105 in Thunder Bay and nine in Kakabeka Falls.

The raids have Shooters Tavern co-owner Paul Maybroda up in arms.

Maybroda on Monday said his Memorial Avenue establishment was visited by four members of the anti-rackets branch of the OPP, checking specifically to see whether the doormen were licensed and were wearing a proper uniform.

“It was a total shock to us. More to the point, they didn’t explain to us what they were doing. Once they left, and they were well on their way, we had to go after them and say, ‘Hey, can you please explain what’s going on here,’” Maybroda said.

What happened was four of his employees were issued summonses to appear in court to answer the charges.

Maybroda was also told to expect a summons of his own as an individual and a separate one for the business, which could face fines totaling $250,000.

Two of his security guards, who do wear t-shirts clearly labeled staff on the back and with the company logo in front, were cited for having expired licenses, a requirement under Ontario law. A fourth, according to Maybroda, has never had one.

To get a license a would-be security guard must take a 40-hour test which broaches issues like use of force, and pass a subsequent written test. The uniform shirt must clearly say security on the front and back, include the name of the establishment and a tag identifying both the security person and a license number.

While he admitted ignorance of the law is not an excuse, Maybroda said he believes similar raids in southern Ontario resulted merely in warnings for bar staff and business owners. As someone trying to run a legitimate business, he said he wished establishments in Northern Ontario were afforded the same courtesy.

“I think it was heavy-handed. I think it was not normal. We deal with over a dozen different provincial agencies. It’s a necessity of doing our job and running a legal business in this province. This has never happened before, in this manner,” Maybroda said.

“There were no warnings, no cautions. I’m not sure actually why or what their objective is.”

LePage said while some bar owners may be in the dark, for the most part they all know the requirements under the statute.  He’s not sure why everyone doesn’t comply.

“Generally it’s been my experience – and there are always exceptions to the rule – that most establishments are well aware of the act,” Lepage said.

The OPP also laid four charges in Sault Ste. Marie, 34 in Kenora. 19 in Sudbury and 17 in Timmins. It's part of a year-long objective to bring the bar industry and security guards into compliance.

The Thunder Bay charges include 24 counts of working as an unlicensed security guard; 48 counts of employing an unlicensed security guard; 21 counts of failing to wear a uniform which complies with regulations and a dozen counts of failing to register a business employing in-house security.